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PBA Finals Quick Hits: Brownlee Sets the Tone on Offense and Defense

George Sta. Ana
January 8, 2023

Justin Brownlee and Stanley Pringle stole the spotlight as Ginebra got past Bay Area in Game 5 of the 2022 PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals.

Behind another all-around performance from resident import Justin Brownlee, Barangay Ginebra pounced on the short-handed Bay Area Dragons en route to a 101-91win in Game 5 of the 2022 PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals. The Dragons, who were missing key players Andrew Nicholson and Glen Yang, managed to keep it close in the first quarter. But Ginebra’s offense picked up starting in the second period, with Brownlee and Stanley Pringle leading the way.

Top Performers

Justin Brownlee

37 points, 8 rebounds, 3 steals, 4 blocks, 63% FG
Hayden Blankley

29 points, 9 rebounds, 2 steals, 5-11 3PT

Brownlee sets the tone on both ends

Coming off a triple-double performance in Game 4, Justin Brownlee made sure to scatter his fingerprints on all fronts in Game 5. The Ginebra resident import already had 20 markers by the end of the first half and finished the game with 37 markers on 14-of-22 shooting, including a stellar 5-of-8 clip from the three-point line.

But Brownlee also set the tone on the defensive end, compiling three steals and four blocks. For the most part, Ginebra did a good job of funneling Bay Area’s penetrations to the middle, where a help defense led by Brownlee and Japeth Aguilar awaits.

Other Takeaways:

Ginebra's Stanley Pringle failed to score in double digits in the first four games of the series, but a 3-of-3 clip from three in Game 4 may have given him the momentum he needed. Pringle poured in 20 points in Game 5, putting up a very efficient 6-of-9 clip from beyond the arc. This is a confidence booster for the veteran scorer, just what he needs to regain more playing time in Ginebra's rotation.
Ginebra is a formidable team to go up against when Japeth Aguilar is exerting his presence on defense. The 35-year-old beanpole blocked six shots in the Game 5 win, while also contributing 12 markers on the other end. Japeth's performance in the first three games of the series was indeed forgettable, but there's no doubt that he's back to his impactful self again.
The absences of Glen Yang and Andrew Nicholson were just too much to bear for Bay Area. They drew surprise performances from their bench players, but their offense lacked a consistent flow, particularly during the second and third quarter.