Superman has his Kryptonite, and for Allen Durham, that Kryptonite was Justin Brownlee. Ginebra and Meralco have clashed in four PBA Governors’ Cup Finals, with Durham earning three Best Import awards—but never a championship. Even when Meralco replaced him with Tony Bishop in their last Finals encounter, the result remained the same: another Ginebra victory.
Ironically, Bishop found himself suiting up for Ginebra in the 2023-24 PBA Commissioner’s Cup, filling in for Brownlee, who was sidelined due to FIBA-related issues. Bishop led the Gin Kings to a respectable 9-6 record, but they were swept in the semis by the eventual champions, San Miguel Beermen. Sadly, just like Durham before him, Bishop couldn't carry his squad to the title.
But while Brownlee has been a nightmare matchup for most, even he has a Kryptonite of his own—Rondae F’n Hollis-Jefferson.
Among PBA imports, RHJ is an anomaly. A former blue-chip college prospect with a solid NBA career before taking his talents overseas, he stands out in a league where NBA-level imports are often hit-or-miss. Many teams opt for battle-tested mercenaries from lesser leagues—players who, unlike NBA castoffs, arrive with no ego and a clear purpose: to dominate.
RHJ, however, is built differently.
Brownlee and RHJ have squared off multiple times in international play, and while RHJ may be the underdog in those encounters, he has never made things easy for Brownlee in the PBA. In fact, Justin has yet to win a Best Import award in a season where RHJ was in the running. Worse, Brownlee has fallen short in all two championship duels against the former New Jersey Net.
TNT's success with RHJ isn't just about talent—it’s also about how Chot Reyes utilizes him. Coach Chot has always structured his teams around versatile imports, but RHJ offers a unique blend of size, athleticism, and skill. He isn’t an aging big man like Marcus Douthit or Andray Blatche, nor is he purely a slashing scorer like how he uses Brownlee or Jordan Clarkson. And given the PBA’s lack of dominant seven-footers, RHJ’s all-around game becomes even more dangerous.
Right now, a banged-up Brownlee might have a shot at taking down a struggling RHJ.
The one edge Justin has?
Ginebra’s deeper, more battle-tested bench.
Ginebra has the luxury of keeping veterans like LA Tenorio, Aljon Mariano, and Nard Pinto on the bench—players who, at different points in their careers, have been crucial to the team’s success. Most notably, Tenorio, a four-time Finals MVP, has proven he can deliver in big moments. Now, the Gin Kings are just one win away from ending Justin Brownlee’s championship drought.
On the other hand, TNT lives and dies by Rondae Hollis-Jefferson’s shooting—a trait that mirrors the Mamba Mentality of his idol, Kobe Bryant. In Game 5, RHJ struggled, going just 7-of-26 from the field, and was one of only two TNT players to score in double figures. Meanwhile, Brownlee was far more efficient, finishing with 9-of-15 shooting, while Ginebra had three other players in double digits. Scottie Thompson, the likely Finals MVP if Ginebra wins, put up an all-around performance with 16 points and 10 rebounds.
For years, Brownlee has been Ginebra’s ultimate import, the heart and soul of their championship runs. Even in seasons without a title, the team has stood by him. Now, they are on the verge of giving him the one prize that has eluded him—defeating his Kryptonite by finally conquering TNT and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson.