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FRUSTRATED. Justin Brownlee in action for Barangay Ginebra in the 2024-25 PBA Commissioner's Cup.
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Justin Brownlee and Barangay Ginebra lose in a title series for the third straight time as they miss out on the PBA Commissioner's Cup crown, with TNT escaping with the championship in Game 7
MANILA, Philippines – Justin Brownlee owned up to his “lack of focus” in crucial moments as Barangay Ginebra once again fell short of a PBA championship.
Brownlee and the Gin Kings lost in a title series for the third straight time as they missed out on the PBA Commissioner’s Cup crown, with TNT escaping with an 87-83 overtime win in the do-or-die Game 7 on Friday, March 28.
While it was Brownlee who kept Ginebra alive as his three-pointer with under 20 seconds left in regulation sent the game into an extra period, he coughed up a pair of turnovers when the Gin Kings were trailing in overtime.
“I think for sure in that overtime, I think a couple of turnovers, 2 or 3 turnovers I had, that definitely hurt our rhythm and momentum going into that overtime,” Brownlee said on what went wrong at crunch time.
“Maybe just lack of focus in key moments. I think a lot of that had to do with myself, to be honest.”
Despite dealing with a dislocated right thumb, Brownlee paced the Gin Kings with 22 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 blocks, although he recorded a game-high 7 turnovers.
“I’mma take the blame for myself, certain key moments, focus was not there for me, and we paid for it,” said Brownlee.
The loss extended Ginebra’s title drought, with its last championship coming in the 2022-2023 Commissioner’s Cup when it beat guest team Bay Area Dragons.
All of the Gin Kings’ last three finals losses came at the hands of Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and the Tropang Giga, who also ruled the last two editions of the Governors’ Cup.
Ginebra had looked to have figured out the TNT puzzle when it seized a 3-2 series lead, but a 16th championship — and a record-breaking seventh for Brownlee — was not to be.
“Definitely heartbreaking. Man, it was tough for the team. We were up 3-2. We really felt like we could win it. TNT is a great team and they showed over and over why they deserve to be champions,” said the three-time Best Import.
Brownlee, though, vowed that the Gin Kings will be back to contend again.
“The loss is definitely hitting hard. But we got the [never-say-die] spirit still. Tough loss for us, we’ll be down in a while, but we’re going to get back up and we’re going to come back better.” – Rappler.com
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