MANILA, Philippines—Justin Brownlee and Barangay Ginebra failed to make it a three-peat and they’re still hell-bent in getting that third PBA Governors’ Cup title.
After winning the crown in 2016 and 2017, the Gin Kings missed out on hattrick last year after Magnolia barged into the picture and clinched the championship.
Now that Brownlee’s back in the conference that has given the team so much success, he wants nothing more to erase the ghost of 2018 and finish the 2019-20 season with a chip.
“I’m super motivated, I wish we could’ve had that three-peat last year unfortunately we came up short,” said Brownlee after Ginebra’s 120-107 Game 4 win over NorthPort in the semifinals Friday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“It feels good to be in the finals, but at this point we’re not satisfied, we want to feel the greatest feeling. I’m just super proud of everybody, it just feels great and hopefully we can get another one.”
Getting to experience that thrill, however, has to wait since Game 1 of the finals isn’t until Jan. 8 since the PBA will take its holiday break for Christmas and New Year.
And that’s just the start of the series with Ginebra waiting for the victor of the semifinals series between TNT and Meralco, with the latter of the two teams having the conquered in the Gin Kings’ title runs.
“I don’t think we’ve ever done this, having extended breaks in the semis and the finals,” said Brownlee who will also spend his first Christmas in the Philippines. “Those two teams were pretty much the top teams in the league this conference.”
Meralco and TNT both had 8-3 records and had the same win-loss cards as top seed NLEX while Ginebra wasn’t far behind at 7-4 at the end of the elimination round.
“When TNT’s healthy, they’re great and of course Meralco. We met them [the Bolts] in the finals twice already and we know when we play them they’re going to be great as well,” said Brownlee who had 36 points, 19 rebounds, eight assists, three steals, and two blocks.
With along wait looming, Brownlee said that they can’t let their mentality stray off despite the festive season.
“I don’t think we’ve ever had extended breaks in the semifinals and the finals but we just want to stay focused and try not to lose the mentality that we already got right now,” said Brownlee who’s been enamored with the Philippine Christmas season.
“I love the excitement around Christmas here. A lot of Christmas lights and Christmas carols. Even the gifts from the team and everybody it’s been great. I definitely feel the Christmas spirit. Lots of sweets so we got to be careful and don’t gain too much weight.”