‘Win ugly’: Brownlee saves day as defensive-minded Ginebra escapes TNT to tie finals at 1-1

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Justin Brownlee carries the scoring load as Barangay Ginebra puts the clamps on TNT import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson down the stretch in a low-scoring Game 2

MANILA, Philippines – Justin Brownlee put Barangay Ginebra on his back in a gripping 71-70 win over TNT in Game 2 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup finals at the Mall of Asia Arena on Sunday, March 16.

Scoring almost half of the Gin Kings’ output, Brownlee delivered the big hits down the stretch and finished with 35 points and 11 rebounds in the low-scoring affair as his side knotted the best-of-seven series at 1-1.

Brownlee scored the last 4 points of the game, converting a reverse layup and hitting the go-ahead free throws to erase a 67-70 deficit as Ginebra put the shackles on Tropang Giga import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson down the stretch.

Hollis-Jefferson had 7.3 seconds to work on the game-winner but lost the ball after being double-teamed by Stephen Holt and Scottie Thompson, and failed to get a shot off before the time expired.

In the previous possession, Hollis-Jefferson incurred a shot-clock violation as he held on to the ball despite being triple-teamed.

“Coach has been saying it’s going to be a defensive series. Some games, we’re just going to have to win ugly, and I think that was a perfect example tonight,” said Brownlee.

“I think if we want to continue having success in this series, I think it’s going to be very important we use all our effort we can on defense and just try to, I guess, make the game ugly.”

After seeing the Tropang Giga drain 14 three-pointers Game 1, the Gin Kings tightened the defensive screws this time and held TNT to a poor 6-of-31 (19%) from the beyond the arc.

It was a such a defensive masterclass for Ginebra that it contained the Tropang Giga to just 4 points in the second quarter and 19 points in the first half, both of which are the lowest for a quarter and a half in PBA finals history, according to chief statistician Fidel Mangonon.

TNT hit its stride in the fourth period, where it erupted for 26 points, but went scoreless in the final 2:30 minutes.

“These guys just showed true grit all the way through the game. And we knew that if we’re going to have a chance in this series, we’re going to have to show that character and true grit,” said Gin Kings head coach Tim Cone.

“Just really reached deep to make two stops down the stretch. Those were really incredible stops and that’s just the way we’re going to have to play to have a chance in this series.”

Scottie Thompson backstopped Brownlee with 16 points, 12 rebounds, and 7 assists, while Japeth Aguilar added 8 points and 8 rebounds.

Holt contributed 7 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 steals on top of his stellar defensive work on Hollis-Jefferson.

Hollis-Jefferson still finished with 25 points and 15 rebounds, but he made just 6 of his 23 field goals for a dismal clip of 26%.

The Scores

Barangay Ginebra 71 – Brownlee 35, Thompson 16, J. Aguilar 8, Holt 7, Rosario 2, Ahanmisi 2, Malonzo 0, Cu 0.

TNT 70 – Hollis-Jefferson 25, Nambatac 14, Pogoy 11, Erram 6, Oftana 5, Khobuntin 4, Williams 2, Razon 2, Aurin 1, Heruela 0.

Quarters: 21-15, 32-19, 54-45, 71-70.

– Rappler.com