Justin Brownlee’s performance in Game 2 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup finals was a blessing for BARANGAY Ginebra.

According to head coach Tim Cone, Brownlee has been under management for a few days following an asthma attack on March 10.

“He’s been battling asthma and sick all this whole week,” Coach Tim Cone said. “So we’re just trying to keep him healthy so that he can do what he did [in Game 2].”

In Game 2, Brownlee helped Barangay Ginebra defeat TNT 71-70 by scoring 35 points, including the game-winning four points. Gin Kings’ supporters cheered after he made an acrobatic reverse lay-up for one of his baskets.

Cone claimed that despite the health issues that had arisen with their Ginebra import in recent days, the club already sensed that Brownlee was in a zone throughout the game.

In Game 2, Brownlee made 11 of 25 field goals. Additionally, Brownlee continued to make his shots in other areas even though he only made one of six three-pointers.

“We fed the beast because he had that kind of presence about him (in Game 2) that he was going to do what it took. So we ran almost all of our offense through him because he was feeling it,” the veteran Coach said.

Cone claimed that if it had been against a different team, Brownlee would have scored more goals with his style of play.

Knowing that TNT would eventually be able to find a method to contain the Gilas naturalized player, Cone stated after his incredible Game 2 that he doesn’t anticipate Brownlee to have that sort of night in every subsequent game in the finals.

Meanwhile, as the series goes on, Barangay Ginebra coach Tim Cone acknowledged that they need more from their rookie guard after RJ Abarrientos was a non-factor in Game 2 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup finals.

Last Sunday, the No. 3 choice in the Season 49 draft went 0 of 7 from the field, missing three three-pointers and four two-pointers, and only managed one point.

Abarrientos only made one of six three-pointers and one of three two-pointers in Game 1, but he still managed to score 13 points thanks to four free throws and a late-game four-pointer that became the first of its kind to be made in the Mall of Asia Arena.

Abarrientos made a deep three-pointer in the closing minutes of Game 2 that infuriated Cone.

At the one-minute mark of the game, Jamie Malonzo replaced the rookie, however it was unclear if this was a tactical move or a result of Abarrientos’ missed shot.

In Game 2, Abarrientos came back into the game with seven seconds left.

The Ginebra coach stated that although he believes Abarrientos’ skill set is already mature, the PBA rookie is still getting used to the team’s style of play.

“He is a vet in terms of knowing the game, but he is still a rookie in terms of knowing our game and the way we play,” Coach Cone remarked. “So he is still learning the way we play.”

Cone claimed that everyone on the team is not exempt from his tongue-lashing of Abarrientos, which is a common occurrence.