GILAS Pilipinas players who saw Justin Brownlee lead the unbelievable come-from-behind win over China in the Hangzhou Asian Games men's basketball semifinals became convinced that Magic, indeed, is real.
In one of the most unforgettable moments in Gilas basketball, Brownlee capped a 33-point performance with a heroic three-pointer to clinch a 77-76 decision over China last October 4 in front of a stunned home crowd.
READ: Gilas future tackled as RSA, MVP fete Asiad golden team
“Totoo nga ‘yung sabi ng mga Ginebra boys na Magic Brownlee. Iba talaga ‘yung Justin Brownlee,” said CJ Perez during the recent PBA Media Day when asked to recall their experience in the Asian Games semifinal match against China.
Perez also had a role in the comeback win, scoring a lay-up with Gilas still down by nine, 76-67. The San Miguel star also saved the ball to Brownlee that led to that go-ahead three-pointer and grabbed the final rebound to clinch the victory.
But Perez said most of the credit belonged to Brownlee.
“Hinayaan naman ako ni coach Tim [Cone] na kahit nag-miss ako, pagbalik ko ng defense, naka-stop kami tapos nakakuha ako ng lay-up. Isa rin ‘yun sa nakatulong,” said Perez about his lay-up.
“Pero Justin Brownlee talaga ‘yung nagdala sa China game na ‘yun… Kapag naglaro talaga ng all-out, kahit hindi 100 percent, may injury siya, binibigay niya ‘yung best niya,” said Perez.
Calvin Oftana was also on the floor when Gilas Pilipinas was able to erase a nine-point deficit. He said he never lost hope even when they were down big.
“Halftime pa lang, lamang sila ng 18 points pero ‘yun ‘yung pinag-usapan namin, sinabi ng mga kuya na there’s no other opportunity. Hindi natin alam kung mangyayari pa ito na makakapasok pa ‘yung grupo na ‘to [sa finals]. Last option na talaga,” said Oftana.
“We all witnessed the magic of JB. ‘Yun ‘yung pinakamagandang nangyari. Playing against China na first time ko rin and seeing that Magic JB thing,” he added.
'Be legendary'
Arvin Tolentino shared Gilas still had a lot of confidence even when they were trailing.
“Mataas pa ‘yung kumpiyansa namin eh kasi down kami 20, 18 points and then we were talking during the game na bring it down to 10 or single digit pagdating ng fourth quarter which we did. That gave us confidence.”
“Mataas din kumpiyansa namin pero si Justin ‘yung pinakamataas kasi shoot niya lahat. Parang kabaligtaran ‘yung nangyari na tambak but for us, ‘yung momentum was on our side,” Tolentino said.
Chris Ross said he asked every single Gilas player to be legenday in that China game. Everyone took it to heart, Brownlee most specially.
“Before the game, before the China game, I told each and everyone of them, I looked them in their faces and I told them, we are going to need legendary performances from everybody,” said Ross, one of the veterans of the team.
“And I told them at halftime, we need to be legendary. And that’s what every one did. Whoever went out there, everyone was legendary. And that was what we needed to beat China.
“They had the crowd behind them, they felt they probably can beat us because we didn’t have Jordan [Clarkson}, but we got JB. It was a legendary performance and that’s what I asked the guys and that’s what we needed. Everyone delivered,” said Ross.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
