Justin Brownlee admits emotional challenge facing former teammate James Dickey

Barangay Ginebra San Miguel continued their steady rise in the 2026 Philippine Basketball Association standings with an impressive 109–96 victory over the Phoenix Fuel Masters on Sunday, April 12, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Coming into the matchup with growing momentum, Ginebra delivered another balanced offensive performance, anchored by their reliable import Justin Brownlee and rising guard RJ Abarrientos. Brownlee once again proved to be the team’s stabilizing force, pouring in 30 points while orchestrating the offense and setting the tone on both ends of the floor. Abarrientos complemented him brilliantly with 28 points of his own, showcasing his scoring versatility and confidence in crucial stretches.

Local standouts Scottie Thompson and Stephen Holt also made significant contributions, finishing with 17 and 13 points, respectively. Thompson’s all-around presence and hustle plays helped Ginebra maintain control of the tempo, while Holt provided timely baskets that kept Phoenix at bay whenever they threatened to close the gap.

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The contest was also highlighted by a compelling individual matchup between former Pelita Jaya teammates Brownlee and James Dickey III. While Brownlee ultimately emerged on the winning side, it was Dickey who delivered one of the most eye-catching statistical performances of the game. The Phoenix import flirted with a triple-double, finishing with a dominant line of 21 points, 21 rebounds, and nine assists—just one assist shy of a rare feat.

Despite the competitive nature of the matchup, Brownlee admitted after the game that facing a close friend added a unique layer of difficulty.

#WATCH: A GREAT WIN 🏀

Tim Cone is glad to go 2-0 in their two-game-in-three-days stretch, while Justin Brownlee relished his matchup against his kumpadre James Dickey#ReadMore 👉 https://t.co/xKJXYGKjJG

📹 @justinebacnis /Tiebreaker Times#PBA50 pic.twitter.com/YZD8Ww6ZRP

— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) April 12, 2026

“It’s kind of hard going up against a friend or a pare. But when you get on the court, you just got to go in. He went at it and tried to go at him as hard as I can without showing that friendship. But I think it was great, it was very fun, and competitive,” Brownlee said.

The veteran import also revealed that he shared a brief moment with Dickey before tip-off, encouraging him to play his usual game despite the personal connection between them.

“I just told him to go out there and play your game, play hard because we are not going to take it easy on you. He had a huge game for them, he did a lot for them on both ends of the floor. He’s a tough competitor, he’s a great person, a great guy off the court. I think everybody knows I played with him in Indonesia, and he’s a great teammate,” he added.

Ginebra’s latest win reflects a team that is beginning to hit its stride at a crucial point in the conference. With improved ball movement, consistent scoring options, and defensive intensity, the Gin Kings are positioning themselves as a serious contender as the elimination round progresses.

For Phoenix, the loss underscores the challenge of containing high-powered offenses despite strong individual efforts. Dickey’s near triple-double performance was a bright spot, but the Fuel Masters will need more collective consistency as they look to stay in the playoff hunt.

Barangay Ginebra now turn their attention to their next assignment against the Terrafirma Dyip on Saturday, April 18, at the Ynares Center. With several days to rest and regroup, Brownlee and the Gin Kings will aim to sustain their upward trajectory and further strengthen their position in the standings as the race for playoff spots intensifies.

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