Justin Brownlee hit a game winner over Chris McCullough in Game 1 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals between Barangay Ginebra San Miguel and TNT Tropang 5G. After the game, JB gave CMac some high praise.
“He’s really, he’s quick, he’s really like a guard, guard‑like, so you know it’s very difficult to guard him, especially with bigger guys,” Brownlee said of McCullough.
McCullough posed numerous problems for Ginebra throughout the contest, finishing with 25 points, 14 rebounds, and 4 assists while shooting 47.8% from the field. He also defended Brownlee for much of the fourth quarter, holding him to one three-pointer up until that game winner.
CMac’s versatility wasn’t lost on JB, who credited Ginebra’s defense on McCullough while also praising the latter’s diverse skillset.
“We try to guard him with Japeth [Aguilar] and I think they really did a good job,” said the 38‑year‑old Brownlee. “He can play inside, drive to the basket, shoot the three ball, he can hit the midrange, and he can also get his teammates involved, so it’s going to be very difficult.”
Throughout Game 1, McCullough was guarded by Japeth Aguilar, Isaac Go, and Norbert Torres. But come the fourth and final period, it was Brownlee who took the responsibility of guarding the former PBA champion with the San Miguel Beermen.
Keeping McCullough Contained Is a Priority
As the series moves to Game 2, the six‑time PBA champion emphasized that Ginebra needs to contain CMac and not let him have a big game.
“He didn’t have a huge game, but I think he got a good game, and you know we expected him to have even bigger games in the future. But it’s going to be very difficult since he’s very versatile,” said the resident import of Ginebra. “I think we just gotta keep trying our hardest to try and contain him and not let him have a big game.”
Brownlee may have won his battle against McCullough, but he hasn’t won the war just yet. It remains unclear how Ginebra will try to keep CMac from having a big game. What is certain is that TNT will look to bounce back come Friday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
