MANILA, Philippines – Justin Brownlee and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson meet again with a PBA championship at stake.
The two revered imports arrange another title clash as Brownlee’s Barangay Ginebra sets up a finals rematch with Hollis-Jefferson’s TNT for the Governors’ Cup crown that kicks off on October 27 at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
It will be a litmus test for Brownlee, whose erstwhile unbeaten finals record with the Gin Kings got tainted last year when they failed to defend the Governors’ Cup throne to Hollis-Jefferson and the Tropang Giga.
Prior to that encounter, Brownlee and Ginebra were 6-0 in a finals series, with four of their championships coming in the Governors’ Cup.
“It’s going to be a lot different but it’s still not going to be easy. It’s going to be very tough,” said Brownlee.
“Of course we want to, I guess you’ll say, try to avenge the finals from last year, but we’re just looking to take one step at a time, not try to get ahead of ourselves. We’re just expecting a hard-fought, tough series from TNT.”
It will actually be the third time Brownlee and Hollis-Jefferson will duke it out for the crown.
Months after losing in the PBA finals, Brownlee earned his redemption when he steered Gilas Pilipinas past Hollis-Jefferson and Jordan in the gold-medal match of the Asian Games, with the two both serving as naturalized players.
While they have been fierce rivals on the court, Brownlee holds Hollis-Jefferson in high regard, even going as far as saying the TNT import should still be in the NBA.
“I have a lot of respect for him and his game. Of course we got some recent history, you know, Asian Games, PBA finals,” said Brownlee.
“It’s always an honor to play against a guy like that who’s been very decorated his whole amateur and professional career — playing in the NBA, has been having an incredible professional career overseas as well.”
“For me, I feel like he should be in the NBA. He’s really good.”
The best-of-seven finals will feature an intriguing matchup between two imports who have taken the league by storm.
Hollis-Jefferson, the reigning Best Import, averages 28 points, 12.9 rebounds, 6.4 assists, 2.9 steals, and 1.9 blocks for a Tropang Giga side that has won 15 of its 19 games this conference.
Meanwhile, Brownlee, a three-time Best Import winner, norms 28.3 points, 9.2 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 1.6 steals, and 1.5 blocks as he gains another shot at becoming the foreign reinforcement with the most titles in PBA history.
“It’s going to be a fun matchup, good for the fans. Hopefully it’s entertaining, and hopefully, we can do whatever we got to do to come out and win the championship,” said Brownlee. – Rappler.com