Barangay Ginebra head coach Tim Cone revealed that Ange Kouame was in the mix as a potential stand-in for Justin Brownlee, who was doubtful for Game 4 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals due to a dislocated thumb sustained in Game 3.
Cone admitted that, based on what he had seen and heard before the game, he didn’t expect Brownlee to play again in the series. “We were exploring all our options. I honestly thought Justin was out,” said Cone. “We even reached out to Ange Kouame to see if he could step in.”
However, Kouame was dealing with a knee issue, which made him an unlikely candidate. Cone also mentioned that Rahlir Hollis-Jefferson, brother of TNT’s Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, was another player they considered.
Despite the uncertainty, Brownlee suited up for Game 4 and delivered a strong performance, tallying 23 points, 12 rebounds, five assists, and two blocks to help Ginebra even the series with a 95-78 victory.
Cone shared that Brownlee was a game-time decision but showed promising signs in practice. “He managed to catch and shoot. It wasn’t until right before the game that we got the green light,” Cone explained.
Brownlee said the key was stabilizing his injured thumb. “Once they got it stable, I knew I could play. That was my only concern,” he said, crediting the medical staff for their support.