Justin Brownlee. PBA IMAGES
Justin Brownlee has fond memories of Game 6 of last season’s Governors’ Cup Finals, but he knows that it’s already a thing of the past.
“I definitely remember it,” Brownlee said, looking back on the shot that downed Meralco and ended Ginebra’s eight-year title drought. “But I’m just trying to move on from it.”
And with the Gin Kings and the Bolts clashing anew in the 2017 PBA Governors’ Cup Finals, Brownlee is focused on leading his team to back-to-back titles.
“A lot of people still talk about it, but this is a new year and a new conference. Whatever we did last year, it doesn’t matter in this time. I’m just trying to move forward from that. It was a great memory and nothing can take that away, but I’m just moving on,” he said.
Brownlee unfurled monster numbers on Sunday, scattering 46 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, and five shots in the series-clinching win over TNT.
That was just the kind of performance coach Tim Cone would like to see from his import going into the tough series against Meralco, but Brownlee is wary of the Bolts’ threat, specifically Allen Durham.
“Like coach said, the guy is a beast. I got to give it to him, he’s just been a beast and he’s been unstoppable. That’s why he’s in the finals and his team. I’m looking forward to it, hopefully we can slow him down,” he said.
But it’s not just Durham alone, as the rest of the Bolts are raring to get their redemption against the Gin Kings.
“If I was with that team, I would want to face Ginebra in the Finals, too,” he said, understanding the sentiments of a lot of Meralco players, particularly Jared Dillinger, who’s been vocal of his desire to have the rematch. “That just shows his fight and you know, maybe get some revenge. I would be the same way if I was him so I respect that.”
Game 1 of the best-of-7 Finals series kicks off on Friday at Quezon Convention Center in Lucena.