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Ange Kouame considered as Brownlee replacement for Barangay Ginebra
Barangay Ginebra head coach Tim Cone revealed that Ange Kouame was considered as a replacement for Justin Brownlee if the latter was ruled out for the PBA Commissioner's Cup Finals due to injury.
Hours before the game, Brownlee's status was doubtful after sustaining a dislocated thumb in Game 3 of the finals.
The Ginebra import, however, still played in Game 4 on Friday where the Gin Kings won, 95-78, against TNT and tied the series at 2-2.
"We were looking at all of our options. I'll be absolutely honest. I thought, from what I saw and what I heard, that there was no way that Justin was going to play today," Cone said.
"None. And I thought he was out for the series, frankly. We even called in Ange Kouame to see if he could replace Justin."
However, Cone said Kouame has a knee issue.
"There was some talk about getting RHJ's brother as well. We had everything on the table we were thinking about," Cone said.
Fortunately, Brownlee was feeling good as well and decided that he would play.
"He was a game time decision right before the game. We had felt pretty good about it at practice because he was able to catch and shoot the ball. We didn't really know until we got to the game and he decided to go," Cone said.
"Before practice, I said there was absolutely zero chance he was going to be able to play or even be a part of this series anymore in my mind. He got out and got some shots. I was shocked."
The Ginebra import said he just needed his thumb to be stable so he could play.
"As soon as they just got the thumb stable, I knew I could play. I think the only doubt I had was just if the thumb just keep falling out of place and it's not stable," Brownlee said.
"But like I said, the staff, they did a great job of keeping it stable."
Brownlee had 23 points, 12 rebounds, five assists, and two blocks in the series-tying game.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
