(PBA images)
With or without Justin Brownlee, Barangay Ginebra is charging ahead.
Rookie guard RJ Abarrientos and veteran Troy Rosario admit the loss of Brownlee—who dislocated his thumb in Game 3 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals—is a massive blow. But as Game 4 looms on Friday, the Gin Kings are embracing the challenge head-on, even if it means going all-Filipino against a TNT squad led by elite import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson.
“Wala si JB, ibang usapan ‘yan,” said Abarrientos. “Offensively, he draws so much attention. Defensively, he’s our anchor. Malaking factor na nawala siya.”
The Kings fell just short in Game 3, 87-85, after holding a slim 82-80 lead with under two minutes left. TNT closed strong with seven unanswered points, including a dagger corner triple from Rey Nambatac that sealed the win and a 2-1 series lead.
“Justin’s absence hurt. He’s our number one option,” Rosario admitted. “Pero nakita namin – kaya namin. It came down to the little things, especially that last rebound.”
Despite the heartbreak, Ginebra draws confidence from their gritty performance without their star import. The fight was there. The belief still is.
“We had a chance. We just couldn’t execute when it mattered,” said Rosario.
Abarrientos echoed the sentiment: “We’re still hoping JB returns. But if not, we face this. No excuses. We move forward.”
For Ginebra, the mantra lives on: Never Say Die.