Justin Brownlee returns for another stint for Ginebra and is ready to lead the Gin Kings to another championship run. — PBA IMAGES
The decision to once again field Justin Brownlee despite his height disadvantage against fellow imports in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup presents some advantages in the eyes of Barangay Ginebra coach Tim Cone.
“We have two big guys [on the roster] and [it] allows us to bring in a smaller import,” Cone said when asked of Ginebra’s preparations for the midseason tournament that starts Sept. 21.
It was no surprise that Brownlee will return for a fourth tour of duty in the Commissioner’s Cup, which has not been played since 2019 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Despite being five inches shorter than the maximum height limit of 6-foot-10, Brownlee has managed to put Ginebra in a serious position to compete for the championship.
Brownlee was Best Import when the Gin Kings won the 2018 edition and his two other appearances resulted in semifinal finishes in 2017 and 2019.
Cone believes that run of form will continue, with Brownlee appearing to be in better shape compared to last season when he won a fifth PBA title in the Governors’ Cup.
“Justin’s Justin. He’s too quick for the big guys and if they play him with a smaller guy, he can overpower them,” he said. “He can be a mismatch hell for the other teams.”
Having Christian Standhardinger for the first time in a Commissioner’s Cup tourney to help Japeth Aguilar is a luxury that makes it easier for Cone to call up Brownlee.
“We have Christian and Japeth, so if we bring in a 6-foot-10 import, it’s gonna limit the time on the floor for either player,” said Cone. “And by bringing in a 6-foot-5 guy (Brownlee), it allows us to play Christian and Japeth in their regular minutes.”
Standhardinger appeared in 34.4 minutes while Aguilar saw action in 31.2 during the Philippine Cup, ranked third and fourth among Ginebra players.
Cone will have Standhardinger guarding imports underneath. Such duties are no longer new for the 6-foot-8 banger, who had the same job with San Miguel Beer’s 2019 champion team.
“We’re gonna have problems defending the other big man,” Cone admitted. “But Christian’s a great defender and he’ll have the yeoman’s job handling the other import.”