BARANGAY Ginebra coach Tim Cone has complete faith in Justin Brownlee in a PBA 50th Season Commissioner’s Cup where other imports will be a lot taller than him.
Brownlee, listed at 6-foot-6, will once again suit up for Barangay Ginebra being their resident import in their bid to at least return to the finals of the Commissioner’s Cup after finishing runner-up to TNT last season.
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Opposition, however, will be a lot taller with other teams taking full advantage in a conference without a height restriction for imports.
Ginebra’s finals foe last season was no exception as TNT went for 7-foot-3 import and former NBA player Bol Bol in an all-out bid for a title repeat after finishing runner-up to San Miguel in the all-Filipino Philippine Cup.
Cone said Brownlee may be smaller but he also creates mismatches, which is why he is confident that the 37-year-old Gilas Pilipinas naturalized player can still deliver against taller opponents in the mid-season conference.
Cone also pointed out that Brownlee has won his share of Commissioner’s Cup championships – in 2018 and 2022-23 season, both with height limits pegged at 6-foot-10 and 6-foot-9 respectively.
“The only guy that ever beat him in the Commissioner’s Cup was a guy that was his size,” said Cone, referring to the time when Ginebra was beaten in last season’s finals by TNT and its 6-foot-6 import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson.
“I’m not afraid to play bigger players with Justin,” Cone added. “I think that’s when he is at his best. He is most challenged, number one. Number two, it’s really hard for those imports to match up with him because he's too quick, he can play outside.”
Cone said it didn't even cross his mind putting in an import other than Brownlee for the Commissioner’s Cup this season.
“Until they prove to us that they can beat Justin, there is no reason to bring Justin out. RHJ is the only guy that’s been able to beat him so far,” said Cone.
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