Justin Brownlee is set for another duel with Rondae Hollis-Jefferson as a hardcourt rivalry is seemingly brewing between the star imports.
The two are bound for what should be a tough battle ahead as Ginebra and TNT will duke it out in the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup Finals, a rematch of the 2023 championship bout that saw the latter come out victorious in six games.
“It’s gonna be a fun matchup, good for the fans, hopefully it’s entertaining,” said JB shortly after the Kings’ 102-99 Game 6 ouster of San Miguel in the semis on Sunday night at the SMART Araneta Coliseum to forge the titular encore.
The upcoming finale, set to commence on October 27 at the Ynares Center in Antipolo, actually marks the third time ever that Brownlee and Hollis-Jefferson will compete against one another where a title is at stake.
Months after the Season 47 Governors’ Cup Finals, the two met when Gilas and Jordan fought in the gold medal game of the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, which saw the Philippine team win by way of a 70-60 result.
(C) PSC-POC Media Group
That ended the country’s 61-year championship drought in men’s basketball in the continental conclave and among the side stories in that success was Brownlee avenging that PBA Finals loss to the former NBA veteran.
“We got some recent history–you know, Asian Games, PBA Finals,” reflected the 36-year-old winger as he and RHJ have been serving as the naturalized players of their respective national teams since last year.
Now, a chance to earn some payback in the PBA setting is now in front of him. But whatever happens, Brownlee will always have respect and admiration toward Hollis-Jefferson, the conference’s reigning Best Import.
“I have a lot of respect for him and his game, man,” he said. “It’s always an honor to play against a guy like that who’s been very decorated his whole amateur and professional career playing in the NBA.
“And, has been having an incredible professional career overseas as well. I think I’ve said this last time we played ’em: I’ve been following him ever since amateur, high school, college, you know, he’s been in the spotlight.
“He’s been decorated, and has always been playing at a high-level, even in the NBA–for me I feel like he should be in the NBA, he’s really good,” he added.
(C) PBA Images
Brownlee chooses to stay on an even keel as well, refusing to look far ahead in the upcoming rematch between the corporate rivals.
“Of course we want to… I guess you can say try to avenge the Finals from last year, but we’re just looking to take one step at a time, not try to get ahead of ourselves. We’re just expecting a hard-fought, tough series from TNT,” he said.
