Ginebra’s Brownlee tips hat off to Blackwater counterpart Upshaw

Robert Upshaw III

(PBA Images)

MANILA, Philippines — If you were to ask multiple-time PBA Best Import of the Conference Justin Brownlee, Blackwater Bossing import Robert Upshaw III may be the toughest player to guard for him.

Brownlee and Upshaw matched up on Friday’s PBA Commissioner’s Cup clash between Barangay Ginebra and the Bossing.

There, Upshaw produced an efficient 43 points. He made 13 of his 20 attempts from the field, including 3-of-6 from 4-point territory.

Still, it was not enough to tow Bossing past Ginebra, 115-108.

After the game, Brownlee gave the hulking Upshaw his flowers.

“Man, you know, we watched him on film, and he looked dominant, and he looked strong. You know, I don't want to use the wrong word, but he's a big guy. But when you get up close and personal, it's like, wow, yeah. It's almost felt like it doubled from what you thought to what you see in person,” Brownlee told reporters.

“But man, he's like a guard in a big man's body. You know, he shoots to four, he got great range. And also, you know, when he got the ball in the paint, it was very difficult for everybody, you know, not only us, but in the whole league to stop him,” he added.

The 7-feet-tall, wide-bodied Upshaw showed his might both inside and outside. Aside from the offensive explosion, he also hauled down 14 rebounds and to assists.

“He's seven feet, very strong, and he's mobile. So yeah, man, he came out and gave his team a great game and gave them a chance, especially going down the stretch… I give a lot of credit. He may be the toughest, I think maybe the toughest player to guard,” Brownlee stressed.

“Yeah, because he can go inside, outside. So, he's such a good shooter, you got to respect his shot so much. So, you know, sometimes he got guys out to feed with a pump fake. And he's mobile, coming through the lane. And I think just like me and a lot of other guys, you know, you see him coming down the lane, you ain't too thrilled to get in his way,” he added.

“He got good moves on the paint finishing and he's got great touch. So just all around, it was very difficult for us.”

With Ginebra’s bigs not 100%, they relied on their strength in numbers.

Six Gin Kings finished in double figures, led by Brownlee, who finished with 21 points, nine rebounds, five assists and two blocks. Scottie Thompson and RJ Abarrientos provided ample support with 19 and 18 markers, respectively. Troy Rosario (17), Stephen Holt (13) and Japeth Aguilar (11) also produced for Ginebra.

Ginebra rose to 6-2, while Blackwater dropped to 2-7.