As he and Barangay Ginebra take on Rondae Hollis-Jefferson-led TNT for the 49th Season Commissioner’s Cup title, Justin Brownlee hopes for a better outcome after losing his last two PBA Finals outings.

Prior to Hollis-Jefferson leading TNT to wins in the 2023 and 2024 Governors’ Cup, both at the expense of the Gin Kings, Brownlee had gone undefeated in his first six finals appearances with Ginebra.

“Hopefully, the third time, you know what they say, third time’s a charm hopefully,” said Brownlee. “It’s going to be a hard-fought battle for us.”

Brownlee, 36, stated that he believed Ginebra played well enough to win the title both times, despite the two finals defeats.

“They’ve been having our number. They’ve been playing well in the past two finals. So, hopefully, we can just get in there and change some stuff around and have a different outcome than the past two. We’re looking forward to it. I think we are more ready than ever. Hopefully, everything just comes together,” Brownlee said.

Compared to the past finals, Brownlee is arriving more fresh. In the NorthPort semifinal series, Ginebra managed Brownlee’s minutes despite the fact that he had just finished a Gilas Pilipinas campaign during the February window.

In five games, the Gilas naturalized player averaged 38 minutes and 55 seconds, but he often sat out in the closing minutes, since all four victories against the Batang Pier were decisive.

Furthermore, even though Brownlee had just been admitted to the hospital following an asthma attack during practice, the finals were held a week after Ginebra had ended the series against NorthPort on March 7.

“I think the Gilas window maybe took a little toll on me, but, as an athlete, that’s what we get paid for, playing games. And I’ve been having a great opportunity to play for the national team. It’s a blessing. So the aches and pains, whatever comes with it, that’s fine with me because if this is what I wanted, this is what I signed up for,” Brownlee said.

JB is on a quest

Brownlee is aware that Ginebra needs to slow down Hollis-Jefferson, who is leading the Tropang Giga in this conference with averages of 28.17 points, 12.44 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.89 steals, and 1.83 blocks, if they want to win this time.

“I’ve got a great deal of respect for him with what he’s been doing in the past and what he is doing now with TNT. He’s been incredible for them,” said Brownlee of Hollis-Jefferson.

However, Brownlee stated that with Troy Rosario as an additional frontcourt player and Jamie Malonzo and Jeremiah Gray returning from severe injuries, Ginebra will have more weapons.

“The chemistry has been getting better, and of course with Jamie back, Jeremiah back, and Troy, we got him in this conference, so hopefully that can be the edge,” said Brownlee.

On the other hand, after making it to the semifinals of the PBA 49th Season Commissioner’s Cup, Arvin Tolentino stated that NorthPort will improve.

After losing Game 5 of their semifinal series to Barangay Ginebra 126-99 on Friday, the Batang Pier’s campaign was over. Despite being the top seed with a 9-3 win-loss record in the eliminations, NorthPort was unable to advance to the finals.

But following just the third semifinal participation in franchise history—where the Batang Pier avoided a sweep with a 108-103 victory in Game 4 last March 5—29-year-old Tolentino is concentrating on the bright side.

“That’s a great experience for us as a team,” With averages of 20.28 points, 7.28 rebounds, and 3.89 assists, Tolentino led NorthPort as well.

“Like last game [Game 4], ang ganda nung nilaro namin. We fought really hard para ma-extend ‘yung series.

Tolentino claimed to have discussed the team’s campaign’s positive aspects with them following the Game 5 defeat.

Although the Batang Pier will have to do so without import Kadeem Jack, the 2024 Mythical First Team champion is confident that NorthPort can continue its strong play into the Philippine Cup.