Grigsby embraces Brownlee burden

MANILA, Philippines — Riley Grigsby recognizes the huge responsibility on his shoulders for Barangay Ginebra in the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup.

He’s here to fill in the void left by injured Justin Brownlee, the GOAT of imports in Asia’s first play-for-pay league himself.

“Obviously I knew what I was coming into. Everyone talked about Ginebra. I knew people who played for Ginebra in the past and they told me this is a historic organization and stuff like that,” Grigsby said.

“They had Justin here, and I knew what I was coming in to replace him. But it’s just basketball at the end of the day. I just have to come in and play my game, and that’s what I’ll do.”

Grigsby gunned 42 markers and hauled down 13 boards – Brownlee-esque numbers on a good night – in his maiden appearance for the Gin Kings against Phoenix last Sunday. They ended up losing, though, 78-81.

“We didn’t get the win but I just came out, trying to be aggressive, trying to help the team do whatever they could to win. Obviously I had 42 points, but we could do a better job on defense. I could score the ball, but I need to lock in better on defense,” he noted.

Asked how Grigsby was in his opening bow, coach Tim Cone pointed to his stat line.

“What do you think? 42 points, 13 rebounds. Kind of obvious, isn’t it?” he said.

Grigsby and the Gin Kings get their chance at a quick pullaround today as they take on Blackwater (2-1) at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Group B duel is set at 7:30 p.m. with the Bossing similarly seeking a bounceback after absorbing their first loss of the conference at the hands of Meralco, 114-116.

The Bolts (2-1), meanwhile, aim to make it three in a row at 5:15 p.m. in a showdown against Magnolia (0-2), a squad yet to find its bearing.

Meralco barely escaped the Bossing last time and coach Luigi Trillo expects the Hotshots to pose an even graver threat.

“They (Hotshots) are better than their record,” said Trillo.