Games today:
(Mall Of Asia Arena)
4:30 p.m. — Meralco vs NLEX
6:45 p.m. — Converge vs Ginebra
The tried-and-tested Justin Brownlee will lead a Barangay Ginebra team that will battle surging Converge today in the main event of a double-header in the Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena.
“It will be a tough game for us to pit against the winningest coach. It will be a tough one. Aside from having the best coach, I think Ginebra has a stacked team,” Ayo admitted of Converge’s 6:30 p.m. date with Ginebra.
Aside from Gins King strategist Tim Cone, Ayo is also wary of Brownlee, a two-time best import awardee.
Though the smallest among the current crop of reinforcements at a shade below 6-5, Brownlee brings a wealth of experience to a team that is teeming with talent.
He is the second in the all-time list among PBA imports to win the most number of championships, behind Sean Chambers’ six, and he is also ranked as fifth on the all-time list of most points (4,539).
Brownlee is also the only import to hit 400 three-point shots in eight conferences he played for the league’s most popular team.
Ayo believes his team is going to be pushed to the limit by Ginebra.
“Ginebra doesn’t have to make adjustments because Brownlee is a perfect fit for them. It will be a tough game for us, even tougher because we only have one day of preparation,” Ayo added.
Ayo made a rousing debut as PBA coach a couple of days ago when the FiberXers crushed
Terrafirma, 124-110 behind the string showing of their import, NBA veteran Quincy Miller.
Miller made quite an impression in his fist PBA game, banging in 38 points, hauling 16 rebounds apart from getting seven steals and blocking five shots.
In the opener at 4:30 p.m., interim coach Adonis Tierra of NLEX faces Meralco, last season’s runner-up.
Fresh from a 96-90 win over Rain or Shine, the Road Warriors are still awaiting for the arrival of Frankie Lim’s formal handling of the team he intends to turn into a legit title contender.
