ANTIPOLO – Tim Cone is not saying with finality if Justin Brownlee is totally out of Barangay Ginebra for the Season 50 PBA Governors’ Cup.
While the 38-year-old Brownlee hasn’t fully healed yet from his hamstring and knee injuries, together with his heart problem, the champion coach said the Kings are not going to turn their backs around to the import with who the franchise owes so much.
Cone said there is even a possibility of Brownlee coming over to the country and rejoin his team by the end of October while the playoffs are ongoing.
READ SCENARIOS: Ginebra has inside track on Group B's last QF spot
“I don’t want to put any finality on Justin. He’s still battling,” Cone said shortly after the Kings’ 106-89 blowout of the Phoenix Fuel Masters on Sunday night at the Ynares Center.
“There is some hope he might come at the end of the month. At least just to come. He’s still very much part of Gilas as well as a part of Ginebra.”
But with uncertainty still surrounding Brownlee’s health, Cone said the Kings are very much satisfied with how Jordan Murphy has been playing for the team.
Murphy had 28 points on 11-of-22 shooting and grabbed 13 rebounds in the win over Phoenix that catapulted the Kings to a 4-5 record for solo fourth place in the mad race for the final quarterfinals slot in Group B.
“At the moment, Jordan is doing the job for us. So it’s kind of like ‘Love The One You’re With’ at this point,” said Cone, alluding to the song by Stephen Stills in the 70s.
“But basically, Jordan is the one here at the moment, so we’re going to lock in and focus on Jordan.”
Barangay Ginebra plays its final game in the eliminations on Friday against Blackwater.
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