Justin Brownlee. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/ INQUIRER.net
BOCAUE —Even with Ginebra failing to close out the 2017 PBA Governors’ Cup Finals in six games, Justin Brownlee couldn’t help but feel excited over what comes next.
“Man, you got to love it as a basketball player. This is the thing you grow up and you dream of,” he said of the winner-take-all Game 7 on Friday.
Fans couldn’t help but fantasize Brownlee serving as the hero once more in Game 7 to complete the Gin Kings’ quest for back-to-back titles.
But no matter how Ginebra gets it down, all the 29-year-old wants is to lift the trophy at the end of the night.
“The perfect moment would just be winning the championship. Of course, it would be nice to win it in spectacular fashion, but right now, that moment is just winning the championship. That’s what I’m focused on – just trying to bring home the trophy and defend the crown,” he said.
However, for Brownlee to replicate that feat, Ginebra needs to get its act straight following a disappointing Game 6 showing which saw it fall to Meralco, 91-98 on Wednesday.
“(The Bolts) just came out more aggressive than us, I think. They initiated physicality, they were the first ones to loose balls, rebounds, they just came out with a great energy and we didn’t. And I think that — from the start the game to set the tone, I think that was the biggest part of the game,” he said.
Brownlee, though, has his full confidence that the Gin Kings will be more than ready to protect their throne come Friday, in what is shaping up to be another capacity crowd at Philippine Arena.
“I think we’re going to be prepared,” he said. “We’re going to come out with great energy and aggression, and we will be ready to defend the crown.”