Brownlee’s production dipped in semis, but Cone not worried as PBA finals loom

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Justin Brownlee sends Barangay Ginebra to the finals for the ninth time as the Gin Kings face TNT for the PBA Commissioner's Cup championship

MANILA, Philippines – Barangay Ginebra head coach Tim Cone expects Justin Brownlee to take his game to the next level when it counts the most.

Cone said he does not worry about Brownlee ahead of their championship clash against TNT in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup after the three-time Best Import put up modest numbers in the semifinals.

While Brownlee still churned out 18.0 points, 6.6 rebounds, 6.0 assists, and 1.2 steals in five semifinal games against NorthPort, his averages were noticeably lesser than his usual playoff figures.

For context, Brownlee tallied 28.3 points, 8.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists in three quarterfinal games against Meralco.

That dip in production, though, may have to do with Brownlee norming just 35 minutes in the semifinals, with the Gin Kings posting a whopping winning margin of 22.3 points in their 4-1 conquest of the Batang Pier.

“Justin steps up when he needs to step up. He reads the game very well. He’s the one who decides when to go, when not to go. We don’t worry about him,” said Cone.

If there is one thing that concerns Cone, it is Brownlee’s health.

Brownlee missed the finals press conference on Monday, March 10, as he got hospitalized due to an asthma attack.

That is bad news for a Ginebra side that needs Brownlee to be in tiptop shape as the Gin Kings seek to finally beat the Tropang Giga after losing to the same team in the title series of the last two Governors’ Cup editions.

“I hope he gets out in time to get in some practices. If he’s healthy and he’s ready to go, he’s one of those guys you don’t do too much coaching,” said Cone.

“He knows the game, he’ll step up when he needs to, and we have a lot of trust in that.”

Leading Ginebra to the finals for the ninth time, Brownlee looks to win his seventh championship, which would allow him to break his tie with Alaska legend Sean Chambers for the record of most PBA titles won by an import.

The feat has proven elusive, with Brownlee — who was previously 6-0 in the finals — getting denied by Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and TNT in their first two championship encounters.

“I’m sure that’s uppermost in his mind. It’s something he’d like to have. It’d be great for him to have it. I’d love for him to have it. But again, we got to earn it. It’s not automatic,” said Cone.

The best-of-seven finals kick off on Friday, March 14, at the Mall of Asia Arena. – Rappler.com