MANILA – In just their second game in the PBA 50 Commissioner's Cup, Justin Brownlee dropped a massive 46 points for Barangay Ginebra.
The three-time PBA Best Import likewise tallied eight assists and six rebounds.
Despite his stellar performance, the Gin Kings eventually bowed to the NLEX Road Warriors, 118-113, at the Araneta Coliseum on Friday.
"Yeah, it sucks, you know, losing after you have a good performance like that. But [I] just got to give a lot of credit to NLEX. [Robert] Bolick hit that clutch [shot] and pushed them ahead. You know they came out," he told reporters after the tough loss.
Ginebra led by as much as 13 points in the game, but NLEX slowly chipped away at that lead in the second half.
READ: Bolick hits go-ahead triple as NLEX survives Ginebra, Brownlee's 46
Robert Bolick led the Road Warriors to victory with 32 points, seven assists and four rebounds, including the game-winner triple.
"I feel like we were trying our hardest, you know, but they were making the right reads and making certain adjustments to kind of what we were doing. So we got to give a lot of credit to Coach Jong [Uichico] and the whole NLEX team. And their import definitely contributed in a big way for them tonight," Brownlee explained.
NLEX import Cady Lanlanne likewise did heavy lifting, contributing 28 markers and 14 boards in the win.
Lanlanne is no stranger to Brownlee, having suited up for the Meralco Bolts together in the East Asia Super League.
Brownlee said playing against Lanlanne is challenging given his skill set.
"Yeah, we knew he was going to be tough. You know, obviously, He got a good feel for the game. And his shooting from the perimeter is really good. And also his inside presence. When we got our hands full with him, it's a pleasure to play with him," he said.
"But, you know, going against him is very tough. You know, probably going to give us some nightmares tonight. But yeah, man, he's a good player. Really good player. You can tell he's a veteran. He's been around the game a while. And yeah, he really led his team well tonight," Brownlee shared.
As Ginebra drops to a 1-1 slate, the longtime import is not too worried about the Gin Kings moving forward in the mid-season conference.
"We definitely want to come out and make a good start, and just try to bring some momentum. But, you know, Coach Tim, he was saying it earlier in the locker room that it's a lot of good teams now. There's really no team you can take lightly in the PBA nowadays," Brownlee said.
"And yeah, man, it's just going to be tough. Every game is going to be different. And, you know, we just got to stay aggressive and stay together," he added.
Brownlee and the Gin Kings aim to get back on the win column, as they take on the Converge FiberXers on Sunday at the same venue.