All that Justin Brownlee aimed versus Magnolia was to be aggressive. He did, and it led to a sterling night for him.
Brownlee reset his career-high to 49 big points on an excellent 75-percent shooting from the field, on top of 20 rebounds, seven assists, two blocks, and a steal to power Barangay Ginebra’s 102-81 decimation of the Hotshots, Sunday night.
The rousing victory in this another chapter of the Manila Clasico had given the defending champions their sixth win in the 2019 PBA Commissioner’s Cup, which means that they are now assured of a spot in the quarterfinals.
“Man, I just wanna be aggressive,” he said. “I know it’s a big game for us, its a great opportunity for us to clinch a spot in the playoffs and just try to defend our crown, so we just wanted to come out and be aggressive.
“And just do whatever it takes to win this game”
Ginebra head coach Tim Cone, of course, was nothing but impressed with how the reigning Best Import delivered in the win — the Grand Slam-winning coach even went to as far as comparing Brownlee to the legend himself, Michael Jordan.
“What can you say about Justin? I mean, if that’s not an MJ performance tonight, I’ve never seen an MJ performance.
“All the MJ performances that I’ve seen through the years, and I’ll tell you, I watched every Bulls game in tape, and at the time, that’s one of MJ’s greatest game right there except with Justin’s body doing the thing,” said Cone, who is a fan of Phil Jackson, Tex Winter, and the 90’s Chicago Bulls.
“It’s really an amazing play by him,” the decorated mentor gushed.
Brownlee gushed upon hearing the remarks by Cone, who’s also called Brownlee and Stanley Pringle Ginebra’s version of Steph Curry and Kevin Durant due to the ways they could be a headache to opposing defenses.
“Oh, man. That’s a great compliment, comparison, you know,” said Brownlee with a chuckle. “I definitely appreciate it, but man, that’s a bad man to be compared to. I just really appreciate and take the compliment.”
But as impressive as he had been like always, Brownlee still tipped his hat to the other Gin Kings for a job well done.
“I think everybody came out — not necessarily had their best game — but I think everybody came out and played great just showed great effort.”
