JUSTIN Brownlee's clutch contributions for Barangay Ginebra in the final moments of Sunday's thrilling win against Converge weren't limited to offense.
The Ginebra import was assigned to defend Mikey Williams in the endgame in a bid to neutralize his outside shooting. The ploy paid off as Converge failed to score in the final four minutes, allowing the Kings to escape with a 99-93 win.
READ Brownlee in vintage form as Ginebra asserts mastery of Converge
Ginebra coach Tim Cone admitted he was wary of Williams knocking down shots in the endgame. Although he went just 6-of-20 from the field, Williams came away with 16 points together with six rebounds and eight assists.
“We were afraid of Mikey Williams' four-point shot," admitted Cone. "The last couple of possessions, we put Justin on him just so we can have some size [against him] and force him to shoot over the top."
Ginebra is very much familiar with Williams. In his last game before his contract dispute with TNT and his eventual signing with Converge, Williams led the Tropang Giga to the 2023 Governors' Cup at the expense of Ginebra.
Cone wasn't going to let Williams steal this one for Converge.
Brownlee helped made sure of that. He scored four points in Ginebra's 6-0 finishing kick then made a great contest on a Williams' three-point shot from deep the left corner to douse Converge's comeback.
“Those things worked for us and we were able to sneak out the game,” said Cone later.
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