Brownlee's presence gives Ginebra confidence in crucial moments

MANILA, Philippines — TNT's do-it-all import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson holds a 2-0 Finals edge against Barangay Ginebra's resident import Justin Brownlee since they first faced off in 2023.

The left-handed naturalized player of Jordan is about six and a half years younger than the amiable Brownlee.

But given the 36-year-old Brownlee's lengthy history of PBA success where he has led Ginebra to six league titles dating back to the 2016 Governors' Cup, coach Tim Cone said they already have a sense of "comfortability" with the former St. John's standout.

"It's that comfortability that we have with him, the confidence that we have in him, knowing he's going to show up in big moments, just being a great teammate and just being one of the guys," said Cone of Brownlee during last Monday's press conference for the PBA Commissioner's Cup Finals.

Brownlee, who turns 37 this April, has shown no signs of slowing down despite the mileage on his legs for the last two years.

With Ginebra's dominance of top seed NorthPort, en route to a 4-1 semifinal series win, Brownlee's numbers may not look super. Yet, his unselfish plays and ability to play through Cone's system are what matters the most.

The 6-foot-4 Brownlee went on to average 18.0 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 6.0 assists in the Gin Kings' triumphant semis series versus the Batang Pier, thus allowing them to arrange the Finals rematch versus the Tropang Giga.

Cone has nothing but glowing words for Brownlee, who in nearly a decade of service, has brought joy to Ginebra's legion of fans because of his professionalism and passion for the game.

"Never asking for special treatment, never asking really for anything," Cone shared, in describing Brownlee's attitude.

With the Finals set to start this Friday, Brownlee is eager to lead a Ginebra side that is determined to win the Commissioner's Cup it last won in 2023 when it vanquished foreign squad Bay Area in an epic seven-game title series.

Brownlee and Ginebra's most recent Finals tussle versus TNT ended in defeat, bowing to the Tropang Giga in six games in their Governors' Cup title series.