The Justin Brownlee saga continues.
On Sunday, after Barangay Ginebra San Miguel clobbered the Phoenix Fuel Masters, 106-89, to all but clinch a PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinals berth, Tim Cone again left the door ajar that his beloved safety blanket of an import could come back and save the day once more.
“I don’t want to put any finality on Justin. He’s still battling. There is some hope that he might come at the end of the month, but at least just to come,” Cone said when asked if Jordan Murphy had earned the right to play for Ginebra the rest of the way. “He’s still very much part of Gilas as well as part of Ginebra, and it’s hard to understand how much we owe Justin through the years of what he’s done for us as an organization…”
Brownlee was first shelved in Gilas Pilipinas’ game against Australia in the third window of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers due to multiple leg injuries that were believed to also be the reason JB couldn’t come back in time for the fourth window and for the Governors’ Cup. However, in a recent Senate meeting, Cone revealed that the beloved import is actually battling a health condition that involves his heart and blood pressure.
It’s Jordan Murphy for Now, But Brownlee Is Welcome
Cone, though, didn’t shed light on Brownlee’s status at the moment. He did clarify that Ginebra is rocking with Jordan Murphy—for now.
“We’re certainly not going to turn our shoulders from him. We’re going to do everything we can for him. And we hope that he can get back and start playing for us again,” Cone said. “But at the moment, Jordan is doing the job for us… Basically, Jordan’s the one that’s here at this moment. So, we’re going to lock in and focus on Jordan. But when Justin comes, we’re going to be open arms with him as well.”
Ginebra is now 2-1 with Murphy, who has averaged 25.3 points, 11.3 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 1.7 blocks on 51.2% shooting from inside the arc and 30.8% from downtown. He likely will be the barangay’s reinforcement come Friday, when they try to seal their 51st consecutive playoff appearance overall against Blackwater Bossing.
After that, there’s no telling what happens next.
