Ginebra import Justin Brownlee celebrates after hitting a 3-pointer against Meralco in the PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinals.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Barangay Ginebra import Justin Brownlee reenacted a familiar scene at Araneta Coliseum on Saturday night.
With Game 2 of the PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinals on the line, Brownlee hit a clutch 3-pointer to push the Gin Kings past the Meralco Bolts–a triple that mirrored his historic shot back in the 2016 finals.
“It was very reminiscent of the play in 2016, the shot, I’m glad he performed this way in front of a lot of fans on a Saturday night,” said Ginebra coach Tim Cone after his squad took a 2-0 series following a 104-103 escape.
READ: PBA: Justin Brownlee delivers anew as Ginebra goes 2-0 vs Meralco
Ginebra coach Tim Cone and Justin Brownlee after another barnburner with Meralco. @INQUIRERSports https://t.co/M6jhcD6Km8 pic.twitter.com/d18OWGHsI9
— Rommel Fuertes Jr. (@MeloFuertesINQ) September 28, 2024
“He pretty much did that all on his own without a play, he got the ball, came down, we spread the floor for him so he duped like he was going to drive, stepped back and hit the three with the outstretched arms of Allen Durham.”
The Bolts, however, didn’t see it the same way.
“I didn’t even think about that. I was thinking of the next play,” said Meralco import Allen Durham, who was again on the receiving end of a Brownlee dagger, in an interview with Inquirer Sports.
“Maybe it’s reminiscent of that last-second shot but we still have more games left here. That one was to end the series. This one, we still had time to play and come back.”
In Game 6 of the Governors’ Cup Finals eight years ago, the shot that Brownlee made was a buzzer-beater that clinched the championship for Ginebra.
READ: PBA: Ginebra shuts down Meralco to win quarterfinals Game 1
This time, Meralco still has a chance to fight back in their best-of-five series.
“The stakes weren’t as high. We lost the championship there and comparing it to a playoff game, it’s a series. We didn’t have a chance to come back and play the next game [then] so we’re excited, we still have chances,” said Meralco forward Cliff Hodge, the 2024 PBA Press Corps’ Defensive Player of the Year.
“It’s a tough shot. We had a foul to give and could’ve used it but at the end of the day, it’s a miss or make league and he’s hit all the big shots. Credit to him,” he added.
Brownlee’s game-winner capped a 39-point outing that went with seven rebounds and five assists.