Ginebra's Justin Brownlee in action. PBA Images

ANTIPOLO – Barangay Ginebra import Justin Brownlee was a game-time decision before Game 4 of the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup Finals.

The Gilas Pilipinas leader suffered a thumb injury in Game 3 and wasn't even supposed to play in the succeeding game, according to Ginebra coach Tim Cone.

Brownlee's condition was "doubtful," Cone expressed, as they fell into a 1-2 hole.

READ: PBA: Ginebra’s Justin Brownlee ‘doubtful’ to play in Game 4, says Tim Cone

But Brownlee — doing things more than expected of him — managed to power through, leading the Gin Kings to a series-tying 95-78 triumph at the Ynares Center in Antipolo on Friday.

He scattered 23 points, 12 rebounds, and five assists, earning Best Player of the Match nod.

READ: PBA Finals: Ginebra rallies late to defeat TNT, equalizes series

As Cone sang praises for the Ginebra import, he also shared the status of Brownlee's injury.

"This may sound a little gross, but when you take that tape off his thumb, his thumb falls out. Just literally falls out like that. It doesn’t even stay in the joint. It just literally falls out," said Cone after the ballgame.

Cone said the tape was keeping Brownlee's thumb in place.

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

"That is secured in there [for] now," Cone said. "But the moment that tape comes out, there is no security at all. It automatically falls out of the joint. It automatically dislocates. And that’s painful. And that’s what he went through tonight to get out there and play. Amazing."

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