Brownlee by swishing the dagger trey in the last 4.8 seconds that turned out to be the game-winner punctuating the King’s dramatic 97-96 come-from-behind win over San Miguel Beer in the Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup Sunday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Brownlee knew that the Beermen’s defense would collapse on him that would leave a teammate open.
“I can tell the way they’re (San Miguel) defending us is that no one was guarding Scottie. I asked coach (Tim Cone) if we have to take a time out but the coach said ‘If you see something, just take it,’” Brownlee said.
Brownlee read the situation well.
San Miguel took the bait.
Big mistake for the Beermen not to put a body to defend the reigning Most Valuable Player.
“I saw him and he’s the MVP so I got to have confidence in him,” Brownlee said.
Thompson explained that it was Brownlee who plotted the play, instructing him to find his sweet spot in the corner.
“It was Justin who planned it out. I was supposed to set up a screen for him once he got the ball but he told me: Go straight to the corner. I got you,” Thompson said.
“It boosted my confidence and I waited at the corner. Coming from our import Justin, it means a lot.”
After hitting the outside shot, Thompson sealed the Gin Kings’ comeback from a 19-point deficit by swiping the ball from San Miguel import Devon Scott.
Brownlee finished with 33 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists none bigger than his last dish out while Thompson posted 14 points, six rebounds and six assists in Ginebra’s fifth win in seven games.
Ginebra head coach Tim Cone lauded his men for coming up with a huge play all by themselves and to the loyal Ginebra fans who cheered them on.
