‘Warrior’ Brownlee lifts Brgy. Ginebra over TNT in crucial Game 4

Justin Brownlee’s courageous effort, playing through a dislocated right thumb, ignited Barangay Ginebra in a crucial battle they desperately needed to avoid a perilous 1-3 deficit in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup finals.

Displaying the heart of a champion, Brownlee’s dynamic presence propelled the fired-up Gin Kings to a commanding 95-78 victory over TNT, leveling the series at 2-2 on Friday night at the Ynares Center.

A game-time decision after injuring his hand and missing the final 18 minutes of their narrow 87-85 Game 3 loss, Brownlee not only took the court but returned to the form of “Playoff Brownlee,” delivering a stellar performance with 23 points, 12 rebounds, five assists, and two blocks in an impressive 45:23 minutes of action.

Head coach Tim Cone revealed that the team had explored several options, including bringing in Gilas Pilipinas naturalized player Ange Kouame as a potential replacement, underscoring the gravity of Brownlee’s status.

Surrounded by spirited contributions from his teammates, Brownlee led the charge in this pivotal must-win game. Jamie Malonzo shone brightest, scoring a game-high 24 points with a clutch 10 points in the decisive fourth quarter, where Ginebra outscored their opponents 23-12 to seize control.

Japeth Aguilar added a solid 18 points and eight rebounds, while Stephen Holt contributed 12 points and Scottie Thompson chipped in with a near double-double of nine points and nine assists.

For TNT, it was Calvin Oftana and RR Pogoy stepping up, scoring 17 and 16 points, respectively, while Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, fresh off his third Best Import accolade, added 14 points and 12 rebounds in a valiant effort.