Brownlee shows up for Game 4

Barangay Ginebra decided to field the injured Justin Brownlee against TNT in Game 4 of the Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup finals on Friday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.

Signs that Brownlee was going to suit up surfaced just a couple of hours before the opening buzzer when he walked to the court and began shooting.

It was a gameday decision by head coach Tim Cone and the Gin Kings think tank since the 35-year-old swingman had dislocated his right thumb during Game Three which their team lost, 87-85, last Wednesday.

He had already scored 19 points when it was decided that he be sent to the hospital for treatment at the 6:42 mark of the third canto.

Cone’s assistant Richard del Rosario was among those who had faith in Brownlee’s guts and determination.

Justin is a warrior. If it’s just a bit of pain, he will play it out,” Del Rosario said.

Brownlee started with Japeth Aguilar, Stephen Holt, Troy Rosario and Scottie Thompson.

He made his first basket on a mid-range jumper at the 7:30 mark of the opening canto to give Ginebra a 14-7 edge.

As of this writing, the two teams were in the thick of the fight to win Game 4.

On the day of the game, Brownlee was still a doubtful starter.

In three games, the 35-year-old do-it-all forward averaged 27.33 points, 10 rebounds, and four assists for the Kings.

Kings rookie RJ Abarrientos stressed they have to be ready to go all-Filipino should Brownlee not be able to play for the rest of the series.

“Even if only the locals remain against a dominant team like TNT, we either take responsibility for the loss, finish the series, or hopefully, he (Brownlee) comes back,” Abarrientos said.

“It’s a big factor to lose JB but we have to move on. We need to face this.”

Unless Brownlee sustains another injury, it appears that the Georgia-born shooter is back and committed to play the entire series.