Barangay Ginebra import Justin Brownlee. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
BOCAUE — Sol Mercado’s injury has truly thrown a wrench into Barangay Ginebra’s rotation for the rest of the 2017 PBA Governors’ Cup Finals.
Without the speedy guard, Ginebra coach Tim Cone knew he needed to improvise.
And on Sunday, Cone did just that by extending the minutes of his import Justin Brownlee and chief playmaker LA Tenorio.
“We had to extend those guys,” Cone said. “What are we saving them for? We got Monday and Tuesday to rest before we play on Wednesday. I told Justin during one of the timeouts, ‘Justin, you ain’t gonna sit down here in the second half.'”
“We didn’t think (Allen) Durham was gonna sit down, so Justin wasn’t gonna sit down, so might as well not save yourself.”
The move paid dividends for Cone as Brownlee dropped 20 points, 12 rebounds, five assists, three steals, and a block, while Tenorio delivered 17 markers, six boards, and four dimes in Ginebra’s 85-74 victory over Meralco to move a win away from retaining its title.
Brownlee didn’t mind having to play longer minutes.
“We did great as a team so I didn’t have to exert a lot of energy. As a collective group, we did a great job,” said Brownlee, after logging 46 minutes.
Brownlee also said that at this stage, fatigue is the least of his concerns.
“I’m ready to play whatever [minutes I need] to win a championship. It doesn’t matter at this point,” he said.
“One more to go. The job is not done. The only thing we’ve done is win three games. We haven’t won a championship. I’m sure we’re going to be fired up Wednesday and we’ll be ready.”
Game 6 is on Wednesday, still at Philippine Arena.