PBA: Justin Brownlee’s heroics not enough save Ginebra this time

Ginebra import Justin Brownlee gestures after hitting a 3-pointer against TNT in Game 7 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Barangay Ginebra may have failed to go all the way in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals but Justin Brownlee added another chapter to his growing legend.

Brownlee is no stranger to hitting big shots in pressure-packed moments and he came up clutch once again late in the fourth quarter of Game 7.

With the Gin Kings down by three, Brownlee buried a deep step-back triple from the top of the key over the outstretched arms of TNT’s Paul Varilla with 16.7 seconds left to force overtime.

READ: TNT conquers Ginebra in Game 7 classic to win 11th PBA title

“For me, it felt good and when I released it, I felt like it had a good chance of going in and luckily, it did,” said Brownlee of his 3-pointer.

“The play was definitely designed for me to get it and to be honest, I gave up an offensive rebound before that and I just thought that I had to make it up for the team because we could’ve lost the game right then and there.”

The shot brought back memories of his iconic buzzer-beating triple from the same spot that won Ginebra the 2016 Governors’ Cup crown over Meralco. This time, however, Brownlee’s late-game magic failed to spell the difference in the game.

READ: PBA Finals: Not even a hurt thumb could slow Justin Brownlee down

TNT also had its own Game 7 hero in Glenn Khobuntin to fend off the Gin Kings and claim the franchise’s 11th championship.

“I just got open and got the shot up to force OT but I guess it was no use but we were going to go down with a fight and that’s what we did,” said the 36-year-old Brownlee.

Still, Brownlee finished with 28 points, 10 rebounds and three assists despite playing with a thumb injury he sustained in Game 3.