MANILA, Philippines—Ginebra’s Justin Brownlee tipped his hat to TNT’s Rondae Hollis-Jefferson for winning the PBA Governors’ Cup’s Best Import of the Conference award.
Before Game 4 of the Finals where Gin Kings defeated the Tropang Giga, 106-92, Hollis-Jefferson defended his crown as the PBA Governors’ Cup’s best import, edging Brownlee for the plum.
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Although he didn’t win the individual accolade, Brownlee believed his counterpart was deserving of the award.
“That’s a talented dude, man,” said Brownlee at Araneta Coliseum on Sunday. “He’s been playing incredible in the whole conference so it’s well-deserved.”
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Justin Brownlee congratulates his TNT counterpart Rondae Hollis-Jefferson for taking home the Best Import of the Conference award. #PBAFinals @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/SHOZMRxqsA
— Rommel Fuertes Jr. (@MeloFuertesINQ) November 3, 2024
Brownlee and Hollis-Jefferson immediately went on another gargantuan matchup following the awarding with the former coming out on top as Ginebra tied the series at 2-2.
The Gilas big finished with 34 points and six rebounds while RHJ, the Jordan naturalized swingman, registered 28 points and nine rebounds in the loss.
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Brownlee also said he wasn’t surprised seeing Hollis-Jefferson take home the award for the second straight time, believing TNT is the Finals because of the prolific scoring import.
“TNT, in the elimination, only lost a game and in the playoffs, almost the same amount of losses? Not sure but they’ve just been playing well for the whole conference, from the eliminations to the playoffs,” Brownlee said.
“He’s the reason why they’re here in the Finals so congratulations to him, it’s well-deserved.”