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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Basketball devider Brownlee, Ginebra hoping third time's the charm against RHJ, TNT

Brownlee, Ginebra hoping third time's the charm against RHJ, TNT

Published Mar 9, 2025 06:37 am

At A Glance

  • And now he has another shot at getting some measure of revenge when they cross paths again as Ginebra and TNT rekindle their rivalry in the best-of-seven Commissioner's Cup finale which fires off Friday, March 14.

Justin Brownlee was undefeated in his first six finals appearances in the PBA. Then came another super import named Rondae Hollis-Jefferson. 

The Ginebra resident import has lost all of his two PBA finals matchups against the TNT reinforcement – the last one being just the last conference in the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup.

And now he has another shot at getting some measure of revenge when they cross paths again as Ginebra and TNT rekindle their rivalry in the best-of-seven Commissioner’s Cup finale which fires off Friday, March 14.

PBA Images10 (80).jpg

“They say the third time's a charm, so hopefully,” said Brownlee after the Kings’ 126-99 victory in Game 5 to dispatch the NorthPort Batang Pier.

“It's going to be a hard fought battle for us. They've been having our number. They're 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 in the past,” he added.

As for his personal matchup against Hollis-Jefferson, Brownlee said he just has tons of respect for his counterpart and vowed to do their best in trying to contain him.

“Like I said, he's a tough matchup for anybody in this league. We're going to just try to do our best to try to contain him,” said Brownlee.

“Just try to get wins and try to get into a rhythm and stuff like that. Tough matchup, tough competitor. Excited to go against him again,” he added.

During their last meeting, TNT only needed six games to beat Ginebra with Jayson Castro coming out as Finals Most Valuable Player.

That time, the Kings were also playing on a depleted lineup, still missing Jeremiah Gray and Jamie Malonzo due to injuries.

Tables have turned with the Tropang Giga now without Castro who sustained a season-ending knee injury in the semifinals while the Kings are nearing full strength with their players not only returning from injuries but are also now gaining their playing forms.

On top of that, they have also added Troy Rosario through free agency.

“We're looking forward to it. I think we're more ready than ever,” said Brownlee.

“We've been getting a lot better as a team. The chemistry has been getting better. And of course with Jamie, Jamie back, Jeremiah back. And Troy, we've got him at this conference.  So hopefully that could be the edge,” he added.

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