There’s no doubt the locals will play a huge role when Barangay Ginebra San Miguel and NorthPort Batang Pier faceoff in one half of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup semis. Even so, the import matchup might very well end up deciding this series, especially with the crowd darlings having the tried-and-tested Justin Brownlee leading the way against PBA newcomer Kadeem Jack.
On accolades alone, Brownlee looks to be head and shoulders better than Jack, even as the latter helped NorthPort earn the top seed this conference. However, the hulking Batang Pier import will surely have something to say as he tests his mettle against a most formidable counterpart—potentially for seven games.
Kadeem Jack Gets Baptism of Fire Against Arguably the GOAT Import
Jack has proven to be a perfect fit for NorthPort, providing the Batang Pier with a steady presence on both ends. Offensively, he has been a reliable post scorer and the perfect complement to the outside sniping of Arvin Tolentino and Joshua Munzon. Defensively, Jack has anchored NorthPort’s interior defense with his size.
The 6-foot-9 Trinidadian-American has also shown the willingness to take the big shots. In fact, Jack hit a couple of big baskets in the Batang Pier’s victory over Ginebra in the eliminations, the game-winner against the San Miguel Beermen, and a few clutch jumpers versus the Magnolia Hotshots in the quarters.
Jack has been so good that in any other conference, he’d be the favorite for Best Import with per game averages 31.5 points, 11.3 rebounds, 1.6 assist, 2.2 steals, and 1.5 blocks on 58.5% shooting from the field. And he might still be if NorthPort can outlast Ginebra to reach the PBA Finals. But that’ll be easier said than done because at the other side is Ginebra’s Brownlee, a six-time champion and three-time Best Import.
Brownlee, of course, has struggled somewhat this conference, shooting a PBA career-low 32.6% from downtown. Yet he still put up 25.1 points, 9.7 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 0.9 steal, and 1.1 blocks in 15 games so far. He’s also back in the semis for the ninth time in his PBA career, which means JB will likely raise his game once more—especially with a ninth PBA Finals on the line.
Who Has the Edge—Kadeem Jack or Justin Brownlee?
Conventional wisdom says it would be foolish to bet on Brownlee despite his conference-long struggles from downtown. After all, he has proven time and again he could rise to the occasion when the stakes are highest.
But don’t dismiss Jack completely just yet. Not only is he bigger and younger than his Ginebra counterpart, he is also fresher, having stayed with NorthPort while Brownlee played five games in ten days in three different time zones. Fatigue, therefore, might be a factor at some point for the 36-year-old Brownlee, who has looked every bit of 36 more than a few times this conference.
What’s more, Jack will likely be cross-matched with either Troy Rosario and Japeth Aguilar, giving him a more favorable matchup for stretches at a time. These matchups against Ginebra’s bigs will give Jack ample opportunities to establish himself, find a groove, and get his confidence up—potentially enough for him to be a difference-maker in the fourth quarter.
Then again, it will take a special effort for Jack to outshine an import considered by many as the greatest reinforcement the PBA has ever seen. The good news for NorthPort is that Kadeem Jack looks ready for the challenge. But so will Justin Brownlee.
