Holding their breath after Brownlee’s injury, Barangay Ginebra ‘still hoping for best’

Barangay Ginebra‘s Justin Brownlee in Game 3 of the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup Finals. Photo from PBA Images.MANILA — Justin Brownlee’s dislocated finger on his right hand further clouded Barangay Ginebra San Miguel’s PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup Game 3 loss on Wednesday.

The resident Ginebra import suffered a gruesome injury after he dove for a loose ball at the third period’s 6:42 mark, with his right thumb going against the hardwood as he fell onto the floor.

Brownlee initially stayed on their bench as Ginebra’s physical therapists and trainers looked to give first aid which could help him return to the contest, but it was to no avail. JB went into their locker room for further assessment after this, and he was eventually sent to the hospital for checking before the game ended.

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“Wala pang update,” said Barangay Ginebra deputy Richard Del Rosario when asked about developments on Brownlee’s injury.

READ: TNT takes 2-1 lead over Ginebra as Justin Brownlee exits early due to injury

“So hintay lang natin kung anong magiging sasabihin ng mga doctors. We’ll probably have a clearer perspective tomorrow kung anong mangyayari,” he added.

Del Rosario said Brownlee was in a lot of pain, but they are still hopeful of the return of their import later in their series.

“[We’re not expecting the worst] naman,” he said. “We’re still hoping for the best. If it’s dislocated, then hopefully he can come back. “Sana walang bali. But again, it’s hard to speculate.”

Moving forward, Del Rosario said that with or without Brownlee, what they are banking on is the effort that they showed in the latter part of the contest while already being without their import.

“Even if we lost Justin, we stayed in the game,” he said. “But we don’t view it as an excuse talaga. We still expect to win because this is the championship, wala nang time for excuses.”