Justin Brownlee vows to be better after rare subpar game
Published Apr 14, 2023 02:55 am
The usually smiling and amiable Justin Brownlee emerged from the Barangay Ginebra dugout despite a rough offensive night and a tough 92-85 loss to TNT in Game 2.
But there was something strange to his demeanor – probably due to the eagerness to bounce back which can already be sensed from Brownlee as he entertained questions from the members of the press.
Although relaxed as usual, the resident Ginebra import seemed to have an added flare to his eyes as he looks forward to bouncing back come Game 3 on Friday, April 14.
“I felt like we could have come out and played a lot better, mostly myself. I felt like I kinda let my team down as an import,” said Brownlee who was hard on himself after finishing just 12 points on a 3-of-16 shooting including a 0-of-5 clip from beyond the arc.
It was understandable especially after failing to get anything going offensively, recording an all-time career low of 18-percent shooting from the field and also seeing his 77-game streak with at least one three-pointer come to an end.
Brownlee still finished with 12 rebounds and eight assists to salvage the night with a still decent statline although he knew full well that more is still expected from him, especially not only being the team’s import but also someone who has won it all six times and without fail.
“I had good moments in other areas but putting those common numbers for an import. I just have to be better,” stressed Brownlee.
“I was 3-for-16. I just have to be better. You have to give Talk ‘N Text a lot of credit. They switched their game plan as far as the way they were guarding me. Jefferson had a great game on both sides of the court. You have to give them a lot of credit for bouncing back,” he added.
The veteran import though refused to blame the game’s physicality for his subpar performance and instead gave a lot of credit to TNT for pushing not just him but the entire Kings away from their comforts.
“I can't really say that it affected but I guess you can say that they’re kinda successful in doing it but we’ve been here multiple times so we understand that teams have done this in the past,” said Brownlee.
“Teams will try to keep us away from (comfort) and being physical is definitely one way to keep us away from that. But overall we just got to give them a lot of credit for coming out harder than Game 1. I feel like tonight we could have played a lot better and executed a lot better,” he added.