ANTIPOLO – Barangay Ginebra coach Tim Cone never thought that Justin Brownlee would still be able to play a second in this PBA 49th Season Commissioner’s Cup considering how serious his import’s injury was.
Brownlee’s status for this finals series against TNT came in serious doubt last Wednesday when he dislocated his right thumb while diving for a loose ball in the third quarter of Game 3 loss to TNT at the Philsports Arena.
READ Heroic Brownlee performance inspires Ginebra to finals-tying win
But Brownlee mustered the willpower to play Game 4 where he put on a gutsy performance by leading the Gin Kings with 23 points, 12 rebounds, five assists, and two blocks in a series-tying 95-78 victory.
Cone said seeing Brownlee play in this finals again was an afterthought, describing a gruesome picture of his import’s right thumb that was taped for Game 4 just so it won't fall out of place while the match was in progress.
“This may sound a little gross but when you take that tape off his thumb, his thumb falls out. Just literally falls out like that. It doesn’t even stay in the joint. It just literally falls out,” said Cone.
“That is secured in there right now,” said Cone during the postgame press conference. “But the moment that tape comes out, there is no security at all. It automatically falls out of the joint. It automatically dislocates. And that’s painful. And that’s what he went through tonight to get out there and play. Amazing.”
Brownlee started Game 4 by shooting 6 of 7 from the field in the first two quarters, and scored 11 in the second period that gave the Gin Kings a 53-49 halftime lead. Brownlee added eight in the second half to also help Ginebra keep its lead until the end.
READ Cone reveals Ginebra eyed Kouame as Brownlee replacement
Cone was left in awe of Brownlee was able to put together that kind of performance, given how serious the injury was.
“I’ll be absolutely honest. I thought from what I saw and what I heard, that there is no way that Justin was going to play today. None. I thought he was out of the series, frankly,” said Cone, who added the team already tinkered about the possibility of bringing in Gilas naturalized player Ange Koaume and even Rondae Hollis-Jefferson’s brother Rahlir as replacement import.
“But Justin said I think I can play. Got to give credit to RC (Cua) and the training group a huge thank you because they got him in a position when they can put a tape in and secure that thumb.
"I still didn’t think he was going to play. Once he does, he gets Player of the Game. Amazing. He is not only just a great player but he is such a warrior,” said Cone.
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