(PBA images)
ANTIPOLO — Justin Brownlee’s gutsy performance with a dislocated right thumb sparked Barangay Ginebra to a crucial 95-78 victory over TNT, tying the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals at two games apiece Friday night at the Ynares Center.
Despite being a game-time decision after suffering the injury in Game 3, Brownlee showcased his trademark playoff toughness. Not only did he suit up, but he delivered a vintage outing—tallying 23 points, 12 rebounds, five assists, and two blocks in over 45 minutes of action.
“I didn’t think he was going to play,” said Ginebra coach Tim Cone. “Then he goes out there and gets Player of the Game. He’s an amazing player and an incredible warrior.”
Cone revealed the team even considered enlisting Gilas Pilipinas naturalized player Ange Kouame as a potential replacement. But Brownlee insisted, “I think I can play”—and proved it with one of his most inspired performances.
The Gin Kings rallied around their leader, stepping up across the board in a must-win Game 4. Jamie Malonzo led the charge with a game-high 24 points, including 10 in the decisive fourth quarter, where Ginebra outscored TNT 23-12 to pull away for good.
Japeth Aguilar contributed 18 points and eight boards, while Stephen Holt added 12 and Scottie Thompson nearly had a double-double with nine points and nine rebounds.
On the TNT side, Calvin Oftana finished with 17 points and RR Pogoy had 16. Newly-crowned Best Import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson posted 14 points and 12 rebounds but struggled to assert himself consistently on offense.
Final Score: Ginebra 95, TNT 78
GINEBRA — Malonzo 24, Brownlee 23, J. Aguilar 18, Holt 12, Thompson 9, Ahanmisi 7, Abarrientos 2, Cu 0, Mariano 0, Pinto 0, Rosario 0.
TNT — Oftana 17, Pogoy 16, Hollis-Jefferson 14, Nambatac 13, Williams 9, Erram 9, Aurin 0, Khobuntin 0, Razon 0, Heruela 0, Ebona 0.
Quarter Scores: 31-21, 53-49, 72-66, 95-78