Brownlee elated to finally set the tone in Ginebra's Game 1 win over Meralco

MANILA, Philippines — First impressions last.

That’s perhaps Justin Brownlee’s biggest takeaway from Ginebra's campaign of Meralco last year. 

Come Friday night, he made sure the Gin Kings made one that will last—perhaps for four games.

“Last year, we didn’t have a good start of the series. This time, we won,” the Gin Kings import said shortly after soundly beating the Bolts at the Quezon Convention Center in Lucena City.

“Tonight, we just tried to set the tone and be aggressive. Fortunately for us, Meralco didn’t shoot too well from three and it gave us a little edge.”

In the 2016 iteration of the Finals, Meralco drew first blood, 114-109, in overtime.  Ginebra went on to take Game Two and then Games Four through Six en route to the title.

“We just have to [remain] aggressive and continue [our approach] in Game Two,” Brownlee shared. He finished the on-the-road outing with 32 points, 19 rebounds and six assists.

But with only one day before the next tussle, the beloved Ginebra import — who hit the game-winning shot to end the series last year — is wary of fatigue.

“At this point, everybody’s [tired],” he shared. “But you just have to fight it. You don’t have time to be fatigued right now.”

And with such mindset, Brownlee hopes his team could script the tactics — and yield the same results.

“Hopefully it turns out like Game One,” he said with a smile.