PBA: Justin Brownlee avenges Ginebra’s 49-point to loss San Miguel

Barangay Ginebra import Justin Brownlee shoots against San Miguel Beermen in Game 1 of their best-of-seven PBA Governors’ Cup semifinals series.–PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines—Justin Brownlee is not one to forget the huge beatdown that Ginebra absorbed at the hands of San Miguel Beer in the second round of the PBA Governors’ Cup elimination phase.

Instead of frowning upon it, Brownlee used it as a motivation to power through in Game 1 of the semifinals against the Beermen, 122-105, at Philsports Arena on Wednesday.

“Whenever somebody beats you the way we got beat, it’s definitely motivation. We understand that San Miguel’s a very tough team. They’ve been winning championships for years and we understand that,” said Brownlee.

READ: Ginebra, red-hot Brownlee torch San Miguel to open PBA semis

“If you’re not bringing your ‘A-game,’ things like those could happen. Us losing like that definitely motivated everyone in that locker room to bounce back from that loss.”

Last month, San Miguel Beer gave the Gin Kings a 49-point whooping, 131-82, in Marcio Lassiter’s historic night where he became the league leader for most career three-pointers made by a PBA player.

The Gin Kings’ longtime import made sure that won’t happen again as he turned in an all-around game of 33 points, eight rebounds, five assists and a steal  to go up 1-0 in the best-of-seven semis clash.

READ: PBA: Japeth Aguilar, Ginebra ‘pissed’ after 49-point beating

“San Miguel always comes out ready to play and they always have a game plan but for some reason I found myself open a few times from deep so I just tried to shoot them and be aggressive,” said Brownlee.

The Gilas naturalized swingman shot the lights out three buckets from beyond the arc and five from the four-point area.

“Since the four-point line was introduced to the PBA, it was something that teams have taken advantage of and me, myself and all of us in Ginebra, we practice those shots,” he said.

Brownlee and the Gin Kings look to zoom to a 2-0 lead on Friday at Araneta Coliseum.