Something to prove

MANILA, Philippines — Both Justin Brownlee and Allen Durham are out to prove something in their PBA Governors’ Cup best-of-five quarterfinal duel starting at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium today. In three previous Governors’ Cup finals where they faced off, Durham took Best Import honors but Brownlee won all the championships. They’re back on opposite corners, a little older, more experienced, more mature and at their hungriest to show they’re still at their peak. For Durham, beating Ginebra will be a personal first and the pathway for another crack at the crown. For Brownlee, it’ll be his way to give back to Ginebra’s multitude of fans who’ve supported him throughout his career and the opportunity to outshine the man who’s edged him for the Best Import award thrice.

Brownlee and Durham are both 36. JB has won six championships in 10 PBA conferences while Durham is still searching for his first PBA title after four conferences. Neither made it to the NBA but they’ve been fixtures in the international circuit for years. Durham has played in Romania, Finland, Israel, France, Uruguay, Japan and Korea. He saw action with the Ryukyu Golden Kings in the Japan B-League the last three years, winning the crown once. Brownlee has toured Mexico, Italy, France, Lebanon, the United Arab Emirates and Indonesia. He won championships in Lebanon, Indonesia and ABL and led Gilas to gold medals at the SEA and Asian Games.

While Ginebra has thwarted Meralco in three Governors’ Cup finals, the story is reversed in the last two Philippine Cups. In the 2022 Philippine Cup, Meralco beat Ginebra, 2-1, in the best-of-three quarterfinals. In the 2023 Philippine Cup, the Bolts eliminated Ginebra, 4-3, in the best-of-seven semifinals. Brownlee is out to bring Ginebra back in the driver’s seat.

This conference, Ginebra finished the group stage with a 6-4 record, slipping to third due to the quotient system despite tying second placer San Miguel Beer. Ginebra lost two of its last three games after Isaac Go went down with a knee injury. It won’t be until two weeks before doctors determine the extent of the damage because of swelling. But Go is definitely out for the conference. That prompted coach Tim Cone to recall Joe de Vance, enjoying his retirement in the US. “Joe can give us five to 10 minutes, relieving Justin and Japeth (Aguilar),” said Ginebra PBA governor Alfrancis Chua. “Meralco’s tough. They’re playing with a lot of confidence and it’s expected coming off a championship. They’re big and Tim wanted another big guy who knows his system and plays smart.”

Meralco is missing Aaron Black and Allein Maliksi but coach Luigi Trillo and active consultant Nenad Vucinic got a boost with the return of Raymond Almazan. The Bolts ended the group stage at 7-3 and clinched solo second. Bong Quinto is Meralco’s primary import stopper with Cliff Hodge as an extra option while Stephen Holt has that tag with Ginebra. Matchups will likely be Chris Newsome against Mav Ahanmisi, Chris Banchero against Scottie Thompson and Brandon Bates against Aguilar. RJ Abarrientos coming off the bench will be a plus for Ginebra.

Meralco is No. 1 in rebounding while Ginebra is No. 11, explaining Cone’s concern about the Bolts’ size. Ginebra is No. 2 in assists and No. 3 in three-point percentage but last in bench points, indicating a heavy reliance on starters. Meralco is No. 1 in perimeter points allowed and that defense will be tested as Ginebra is No. 2 in perimeter points. The Bolts take only 5.7 percent of its shots from four, compared to 8.7 percent for Ginebra. In three-point shooting, Ginebra takes 32.2 percent and Meralco, 27.7. The Bolts are No. 4 in paint points and Ginebra, No. 8, reflecting where they generate offense. If Brownlee and Durham neutralize each other, it will come down to how the locals deliver.