McCullough, Brownlee to go at it one final time in Game 7 rubber match

WHEN TNT import Chris “C-Mac” McCullough described it as a title series “that’s going to be remembered for a long time,” it wasn’t an empty sales pitch to bring the crowds in.

Mr. McCullough knew in his heart that with the skillset and winning attitude of himself, Ginebra counterpart Justin Brownlee (JB) and their respective teammates, the duel for the PBA Commissioner’s Cup crown would leave a lasting imprint.

“I said this will be one of the best PBA games that y’all will experience so we’re putting on a show and there’s one job to do,” said Mr. McCullough.

And what a show it was in Game 6.

Mr. McCullough punched in a career-high 53 points to go with 22 rebounds to power defending champion TNT to a series-tying 98-90 last Sunday — against Brownlee’s 52.

“C-Mac” and “JB” engaged in an epic shootout reminiscent of the battle royale of the heavy bucket-getters of the ‘80s and ‘90s. The duo became the first opposing imports to score at least 50 each in the PBA finals since Game 4 of the 1989 Reinforced Conference championship series when Añejo’s Carlos Briggs erupted for 60 and San Miguel Beermen’s (SMB) Ennis Whatley netted 50.

“I just wanted to come out and be aggressive, take my shots, not shy away from the shots even though I’ve been missing a lot,” said Mr. McCullough after eclipsing his previous high of 51, posted in the 2019 Commissioner’s Cup semis while playing for SMB.

“I’ve been doing this for 12 years so it’s something I know how to do and I’m just happy we stuck with it and we played good defense, rebounded well and hit big shots.”

Mr. Brownlee’s Game 6 barrage came two nights after dropping a personal best of 54 in Ginebra’s 100-95 win in the fifth match. The four-time Best Import awardee became the first in more than 37 years to have back-to-back 50-pointers since Mr. Briggs had at least 52 in all five games of the 1989 Reinforced Conference finals against SMB.

“I guess as an import, that’s how you got to be. Big games like this, you got to step up for your team,” said JB. “Obviously he (McCullough) did that very well and I try to do my best as well.”

The two are expected to go at it one final time in Wednesday’s Game 7 rubber match with Mr. Brownlee gunning for a record seventh ring and Mr. McCullough adding to the jewel he won with the Beermen seven years ago. — Olmin Leyba