TNT coach Jojo Lastimosa is bracing for a big bounce back from Justin Brownlee, regardless of whether he is in full strength or not.
Lastimosa said there is nowhere to go but up for Brownlee after he went down with food poisoning in Game Five.
See TNT tries to finish off Barangay Ginebra in Game Six
Even though he was sick, Brownlee still had a solid showing where he had 14 points and shot 6-of-11 from the field in 25 minutes.
“Not having Brownlee there, of course you have to take advantage of that,” said Lastimosa, referring to TNT’s 104-95 win over Barangay Ginebra that put the Tropang Giga on the cusp of a championship.
Brownlee has been released from the hospital after a bad case of food poisoning where he threw up before and even during the game when he was on the bench. He was also experiencing diarrhea.
Brownlee’s fitness remains a question mark before tipoff, but Lastimosa expects that the Barangay Ginebra import will display the skills and talent that he became known for and won him three Best Import awards.
Lastimosa called on TNT not to relax with Brownlee’s condition still unknown.
“I don’t think he is going to miss the sixth game or, if there is a seventh game. He is also a warrior. We are counting on everyone to be present on Friday,” said Lastimosa.
“He did show actually. He was playing well. But he was just tired the whole game. I think every shot, it took everything from him. I hope he is fine,” said Lastimosa.
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