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IMPORTS. Barangay Ginebra's Justin Brownlee (22) and TNT's Rahlir Hollis-Jefferson (20) in action.
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Ginebra head coach Tim Cone says bringing in Rahlir Hollis-Jefferson, the older brother of TNT import Rondae, was an option as the Gin Kings feared missing Justin Brownlee for Game 4 of the PBA Commissioner's Cup finals
ANTIPOLO, Philippines – It would have been historic for the PBA to have sibling imports face each other with a championship at stake.
Barangay Ginebra head coach Tim Cone said bringing in Rahlir Hollis-Jefferson, the older brother of TNT reinforcement Rondae, was an option as the Gin Kings had feared missing Justin Brownlee for Game 4 of the Commissioner’s Cup finals on Friday, March 21, due to a dislocated right thumb.
After all, Rahlir — who played for the Tropang Giga in the Commissioner’s Cup last year and even averaged 37.3 points, 11.3 rebounds, 8.7 assists, 2.7 steals, and 1.7 blocks in his brief stint — is in the country to support Rondae.
But that did not materialize as Brownlee powered through the pain and helped guide Ginebra to a 95-78 win that tied the best-of-seven series at 2-2.
“There was some talk about getting RHJ’s brother. We had everything on the table we were thinking about,” said Cone.
Cone, though, admitted he was cold to the idea.
“Sorry, but I’d rather have Justin. To me, it would have been almost a distraction — the two of them playing against each other. We would have lost the real sense of the final series,” said Cone.
“All options were on the table. We were looking at everything.”
The Gin Kings also considered tapping Ange Kouame, who is familiar with the triangle system utilized by Cone, having played for the champion mentor when Gilas Pilipinas won a historic gold medal in the 2023 Asian Games.
Kouame last played for Meralco in the East Asia Super League in February.
Fortunately for Ginebra, it no longer needed a replacement as Brownlee — with the help of the Gin Kings’ medical staff — managed to be fit enough for Game 4 and dropped 23 points to go with 12 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 blocks.
“I didn’t think he had any chance at all to play tonight. And he not only played, but he played like this,” said Cone of Brownlee.
With the teams alternating wins through the first four games, Brownlee and Ginebra look to be the first to post back-to-back victories as they shoot for the lead in Game 5 at the Araneta Coliseum on Sunday, March 23. – Rappler.com
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