As Barangay Ginebra gets ready for Game 1 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup finals, health has become a concern.

Their import was forced to miss the customary pre-finals press conference at the Kamay Kainan at the last minute when head coach Tim Cone said that Justin Brownlee suffered an asthma attack after practice that necessitated his hospitalization on Monday.

The fact that Game 1 won’t take place until Friday at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum gives Ginebra some respite and gives Brownlee enough time to recuperate from his asthma.

Cone, who at the time of the interview was unsure if Brownlee had been discharged from the hospital, stated as much. “He had an asthma attack after practice and they had to rush him to the hospital. I’m assuming he will be better the next day or two. We will see. We have five days left,”

In addition to Brownlee’s health, Troy Rosario is still recovering from a sprained ankle in his right foot that he suffered during Game 5 of the semifinals against NorthPort last Friday.

“Troy is recovering from his sprained ankle and Justin was not here because he is in the hospital with an asthma attack. Hopefully, we get those two guys back. It’s obviously very key,”  the veteran Coach said.

Cone stated that Rosario, who is receiving rehabilitation for his right foot, is still being treated cautiously by Ginebra.

In the finals, Brownlee will face Rondae Hollis-Jefferson for the third time. Barangay Ginebra is hoping to turn things around because they haven’t defeated TNT in their previous matches.

 Meanwhile, Stephen Holt is looking forward to the challenge of defending Calvin Oftana in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup finals, following Arvin Tolentino.

That comes from consecutive top contenders for Best Player of the Conference.

The sophomore guard stated that he is simply happy to have contributed to the Kings’ defense in the manner that he did when he shut down the prolific Tolentino during Ginebra’s five-game series against Northport in the semifinals.

“Obviously, I take pride in my defense and be able to show my skills on the other end,” stated the Rookie of the Year from the previous season during the official press conference for the Kings vs. TNT Tropang Giga best-of-seven title series.

His performance against Tolentino in the semifinals was flawless; he held the player who was predicted to win the BPC award to only 12.8 points in five games, after he had averaged 23.2 points before reaching the Final Four.

Tolentino is a very talented player, according to Holt.

“He made me work defensively. I got to use my IQ and my instinct to continue doing my assigned job,” The Fil-American guard, 33, remarked.

Oftana comes next, and it is anticipated that he will challenge 29-year-old Tolentino in the BPC race.

In the semi-final series against Rain or Shine, the TNT wingman shot a scorching 46 percent from three-point range (12 of 26) and averaged 16.0 points.

Holt is eager to take on the role, but he also thinks the Kings should play as a defensive unit if they want to stop Oftana and the other TNT shooters.

However, Holt stated that he will be prepared whether it is Oftana or any of TNT’s assigned gunners.