MANILA – Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings import Justin Brownlee is beginning to adapt to competing with a taped right thumb during the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals against the TNT Tropang Giga.
According to the Gilas Pilipinas naturalized player, he intends to endure the discomfort until the conclusion of the best-of-seven series, at which point he will address the ulnar collateral ligament tear in his right thumb.
“I wouldn’t say comfortable, but I’m getting used to it,” Brownlee said in a post-game interview. “It’s definitely not comfortable but I’m starting to get the hang of it and getting used to it.”
The only course of action the Gin Kings medical team has taken for now is to tape Brownlee’s right thumb after he injured it while attempting to retrieve a loose ball during Game 3 of the championship series last Wednesday.
Brownlee acknowledged that he faced difficulties with his offensive performance at the beginning of the game, failing to score until the last minute of the second quarter. He concluded the match with a total of 18 points.
“TNT has done a great job defensively with their schemes, making it hard for me to pick my spots,” Brownlee said. “So, I take my time. And when I get to a spot on the floor, they’re double teaming or hard pressure from the primary defender. It makes it tough.”
“I just have to keep sticking with the game and keep trusting the offense and just try to figure it out,” he added.
Now with the Gin Kings are just one win away from taking home their 16th PBA championship, Brownlee expressed his hope that they can conclude the series in Game 6 tonight.
“I hope so. We’re definitely gonna come and try with all our might,” said Brownlee. “You know, TNT is a great team, and the past has shown that they beat us two times in the Finals so we know it’s not gonna be easy.”
“The hardest game in my opinion, and in my experience, and even (Gin Kings) Coach Tim (Cone) says it to the team all the time whenever we get a lead and in a close-out game: the hardest game in the series is the closeout game,” he closed./PN
