JUSTIN Brownlee is facing a different TNT import in his quest to finally end his PBA Finals losing streak against the Tropang 5G.
In the last three PBA Finals faceoffs between the two teams, Brownlee squared off against Rondae Hollis-Jefferson. Thrice Brownlee and Ginebra lost to TNT and RHJ in the 49th Season Commissioner’s and Governors’ Cup and 48th Season Governors’ Cup.
READ Why Bol Bol was scratched from race for Best Import award
Hollis-Jefferson is out for TNT this season after he tore his Achilles while playing for Meralco in the EASL, where he teamed up with Brownlee. But McCullough presents an altogether different challenge for the Ginebra import.
“Obviously, C-Mac is a little bit taller, but Rondae, he plays taller than he is. I can’t really say big differences,” said Brownlee.
When asked to compare the two imports, Brownlee said Hollis-Jefferson’s strength is on the defensive end, while McCullough is on offense which makes him a tough match-up for Ginebra.
“I do think Rondae is an elite defender. I’m not saying C-Mac is not a good defender, but Rondae is definitely more known as far as when it comes to defense. He is an elite, world-class defender. Can C-Mac be that as well? I’m not sure. But he definitely has the ability to do that.”
As for McCullough, Brownlee said the 6-foot-9 TNT import has the ability to score points in clusters, making him a tough match-up for Ginebra.
“Of course, C-Mac, he is very talented offensively. He is really a great shooter from the outside. He is good at driving. He is athletic,” said Brownlee.
Brownlee is facing McCullough and not Bol or RHJ in his quest for a seventh PBA title, and first since the 2022-23 Commissioner’s Cup. But Ginebra's import has no doubt in his mind who stands out among the three.
“C-Mac is just as good but Bol Bol, obviously, he is a special player. Being 7-foot-3 and can do the things that he did in this league, it was very entertaining, especially for the fans,” Brownlee said.
“It was a blessing to be able to go up against somebody like that. I still think he should be in the NBA, especially with the level of talent that he has. He could be just like Wemby in my opinion,” he added.
“But we still have a very tough challenge with C-Mac at TNT,” Brownlee added.
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