A MIX of old and new faces of reinforcements are set to makes waves for the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup, where newly-minted Commissioner’s Cup champion Justin Brownlee out to win a precedent-smashing eighth league title with Barangay Ginebra.
The 6-foot-4 Brownlee, despite playing undersized, dominated the just-concluded Commissioner’s Cup that featured seven-foot imports.
The ageless Brownlee averaged 34.1 points, 11.3 rebounds, and 5.9 assists to lead Ginebra to an epic, seven-game championship series win against TNT.
The championship was Ginebra’s eighth under coach Tim Cone.
Brownlee is now the all-time winningest reinforcement in PBA history gunning for his eight title.
Blackwater, a perennial cellar dweller, which is looking to turn the corner under interim coach Pat Aquino, is bringing in former Indonesian Basketball League Most Valuable Player Kentrell Barkley.
The 29-year-old Barkley has stamped his class in Asia after briefly playing for the Rio Grand Valley Vipers in 2018 and the Mount Gambier Pioneers in Australia the following year.
Barkley is a known scorer and rebounder, qualities the Bossing need in the franchise’s bid to finally break into the playoffs in the coming conference.
Phoenix meanwhile, tapped BJ Johnson, who toiled the early part of his pro career in the G League, following a short stint with the Atlanta Hawks.
Listed at 6-foot-6, the 30-year-old Johnson toiled in Spain and Russia the last three years.
Foreign guest team Macau is bringing in Will Douglas, hopeful that its return stint gives the squad the chance to redeem itself after just three victories in the Commissioner’s Cup.
Douglas has played in Canada, Puerto Rico and China, and is known for his defensive intensity.
Meantime, returning import include Aaron Fuller of Rain or Shine, DeQuan Jones of NLEX, and San Miguel’s George King, known for his high-scoring ways during his first two forays with Blackwater. RICHARD DY
