November 06, 2024

Justin Brownlee continues to search for answers as Ginebra struggles against TNT in the PBA Finals

Justin Brownlee continues to search for answers as Ginebra struggles against TNT in the PBA Finals
Justin Brownlee has yet to make a three-point field goal in the PBA Season 49 Governors' Cup Finals. Photo (c) RM Chua/One Sports

Ginebra resident import Justin Brownlee could not help but admit TNT has had the Gin Kings figured out in the ongoing PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup Finals.

 In the series opener, the Tropang Giga refused to give the Gin Kings some breathing room from the three-point area and limited them to just 2-for-21 in the 104-88 loss.

[RELATED STORY: Scottie Thompson hopes Ginebra’s 'Never Say Die' spirit will be on full display in Game 3 vs TNT]

“TNT [they] had it going for the past couple of games. Right now to be honest, it seems that they got us figured out on their defensive side. We're having some struggles offensively,” he said after the 96-84 Game 2 loss on Wednesday, October 30.

Brownlee himself struggled from deep. As reliable as his outside sniping has been since his PBA debut in 2016, he's just stumped in the Finals.

He failed to make a three-point field goal in four tries combined in Games 1 and 2.

“It’s tough… they know my game, they know I like to shoot threes,” the naturalized Filipino said. “They’ve been really scouting [that] and they’ve been on it very well. It’s very obvious they don’t want me to shoot threes.”

[ALSO READ: Jayson Castro sees RJ Abarrientos dominating point guard position: 'Maraming pahihirapan’]

While he struggled from the deep, his counterpart, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson had a field day in Game 2.

RHJ sank six from that range and finished with 37 points on top of 13 rebounds, seven assists, a steal, and a block as the Tropang Giga pushed the series lead to 2-0.

But now it’s Brownlee and Ginebra’s turn to figure things out in time for Game 3 on Friday, November 1 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“But it’s a first-to-four not a first-to-two. So we’re still confident. We still got faith with each other that we’ll figure it out and try to get a rhythm in Game 3 and try to turn the season around,” he said.

[ALSO READ: ‘Always a fun battle’: Justin Brownlee gives props to playoff rival Allen Durham]

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