By Jan Carlo Anolin
After white confetti showered down the court of the Mall of Asia Arena, Barangay Ginebra San Miguel’s Justin Brownlee exchanged a few words and hugs with both his Kings teammates and players from the Meralco Bolts.
Ginebra's Justin Brownlee leaves a 'heartfelt' message to Meralco's Chris Newsome after the Kings' win over the Bolts 105-93 in Game 5 of the PBA Governors' Cup Finals at the Mall of Asia Arena Friday night. (PBA Images)
Chris Newsome was one of those who had the chance to talk to the explosive Ginebra import and that left the former Blue Eagle inspired more than ever despite losing to the Kings 105-93 in Game 5 of the PBA Governors’ Cup Finals Friday night.
Ginebra's Justin Brownlee pulls up for a three-pointer against Meralco's Chris Newsome during Game 5 of the PBA Governors' Cup Finals at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay, January 17, 2020. (MB Photo / Rio Deluvio)
“He’s telling me, ‘Man, you’re an incredible player, an incredible guy. It’s just unfortunate how things have to work,'” Newsome said.
Brownlee also told the Bolts star: “Don’t get discouraged about this because your potential is limitless."
The 29-year-old Meralco guard-forward said Brownlee’s motivational message validated the fruits of years of hard work in the PBA. Newsome is set to enter his fifth year next season.
“Hearing that from somebody like Justin Brownlee was just heartfelt,” Newsome said. “I took it to heart.”
In a previous interview, Ginebra guard and team captain LA Tenorio said the Kings have to find a way to contain Newsome aside from Meralco import Allen Durham.
Newsome, indeed, was one of the go-to-guys for Meralco, norming 18 points, five rebounds, and 3.4 assists in five games.
Newsome both finished with 24 points in Games 1 and 3. His lowest outing was in Game 4 with 12 points, two rebounds, four assists, a steal and a block.
In Game 5, he had 13 points, five rebounds, a steal and a block.
Newsome admitted the Ginebra import is ‘one of the best imports’ and ‘hardest to guard’ he had played against and that experience gave him a lot of lessons.
“It shows that my hard work is actually showing and people actually see me for the worth that I put it and even though I don’t win championships they still see the hard work, the motivation and the drive behind everything that I do.”