MANILA, Philippines – Even a triple-double from Justin Brownlee won’t cut it for the skidding Barangay Ginebra.

Brownlee posted 20 points, 16 rebounds and 12 assists in his PBA return but that did not prevent the Gin Kings from absorbing an 82-93 loss to the Meralco Bolts on Friday, June 1.

Ginebra has now lost 4 of its first 5 games in the 2018 PBA Commissioner’s Cup and Brownlee believes they have to develop a sense of urgency if they do not want to go on an early vacation. 

“We can’t be lackadaisical. We have to play with a lot of urgency to be aggressive ’cause right now, we’re 1-4 and that’s a tough spot,” he said. 

The Gin Kings replaced initial import Charles Garcia with Brownlee in an attempt to climb out of the rut they’ve been in since the conference began. 

Unfortunately, the 30-year-old’s first game back after 7 months came against the inspired Bolts led by hulking import Arinze Onuaku, who delivered 24 points, 23 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 blocks. 

Four other players finished in double figures for Meralco while only two breached double digits for the Gin Kings. 

“Tonight, it just seemed the energy level, they had outmatched us. That was the main thing: we didn’t shoot the ball well,” Brownlee said. 

Brownlee and Ginebra face a tough task in their next assignment as they meet the defending champions San Miguel Beermen on Sunday, June 3, at the Mall of Asia Arena. 

“I think we have to come out with more energy and more focus on what we want to do defensively and offensively.”

– Rappler.com