Ginebra import Justin Brownlee celebrates after hitting a 3-pointer against Meralco within the PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinals.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Barangay Ginebra import Justin Brownlee reenacted a well-recognized scene at Araneta Coliseum on Saturday night.
With Game 2 of the PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinals on the road, Brownlee hit a clutch 3-pointer to push the Gin Kings past the Meralco Bolts–a triple that mirrored his historic shot back within the 2016 finals.
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“It was very harking back to the play in 2016, the shot, I’m glad he performed this fashion in front of a whole lot of fans on a Saturday night,” said Ginebra coach Tim Cone after his squad took a 2-0 series following a 104-103 escape.
READ: PBA: Justin Brownlee delivers anew as Ginebra goes 2-0 vs Meralco
Ginebra coach Tim Cone and Justin Brownlee after one other barnburner with Meralco. @INQUIRERSports https://t.co/M6jhcD6Km8 pic.twitter.com/d18OWGHsI9
— Rommel Fuertes Jr. (@MeloFuertesINQ) September 28, 2024
“He just about did that every one on his own with no play, he got the ball, got here down, we spread the ground for him so he duped like he was going to drive, stepped back and hit the three with the outstretched arms of Allen Durham.”
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The Bolts, nonetheless, didn’t see it the identical way.
“I didn’t even take into consideration that. I used to be considering of the following play,” said Meralco import Allen Durham, who was again on the receiving end of a Brownlee dagger, in an interview with Inquirer Sports.
“Possibly it’s harking back to that last-second shot but we still have more games left here. That one was to finish the series. This one, we still had time to play and are available back.”
In Game 6 of the Governors’ Cup Finals eight years ago, the shot that Brownlee made was a buzzer-beater that clinched the championship for Ginebra.
READ: PBA: Ginebra shuts down Meralco to win quarterfinals Game 1
This time, Meralco still has a likelihood to fight back of their best-of-five series.
“The stakes weren’t as high. We lost the championship there and comparing it to a playoff game, it’s a series. We didn’t have a likelihood to return back and play the following game [then] so we’re excited, we still have probabilities,” said Meralco forward Cliff Hodge, the 2024 PBA Press Corps’ Defensive Player of the Yr.
“It’s a tricky shot. We had a foul to present and will’ve used it but at the tip of the day, it’s a miss or make league and he’s hit all the large shots. Credit to him,” he added.
Brownlee’s game-winner capped a 39-point outing that went with seven rebounds and five assists.
