PBA Finals: Brownlee, McCullough set for another duel in Game 7

TNT Tropang 5G’s Chris McCullough is guarded closely by Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings’ Justin Brownlee during Game 5 of the 2026 PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals.–PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines–How Justin Brownlee and Chris McCullough perform in Game 7 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals may play a deciding role in which among Barangay Ginebra or TNT end up taking home the title.

Brownlee and McCullough are expected to carry the load for their respective teams in Wednesday’s decider at Mall of Asia Arena, especially after the two almost turned Game 6 into a one-on-one battle.

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READ: PBA Finals: McCullough says epic Game 6 duel vs Brownlee was inevitable

TNT forced a winner-take-all on Sunday after McCullough dropped a PBA career-high 53 points while Brownlee wound up with 52, two short of his output during Ginebra’s overtime victory in Game 5.

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“I still feel like I have a lot left,” Brownlee said when asked about the fatigue factor, especially after carrying much of the load for Ginebra amid the lack of local support.

“This series is not over, and I’m still very confident. I got a lot left in the tank.”

It will be Brownlee’s fourth Game 7 of his PBA career, winning twice in the 2017 Governors’ Cup against Meralco and 2022-23 Commissioner’s Cup against guest team Bay Area, both held before 54,000 fans at Philippine Arena.

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READ: PBA Finals: Ginebra rides Brownlee’s 54 despite ‘Justin-centric’ concern

His only loss came during last year’s Commissioner’s Cup as Brownlee and the Gin Kings fell short to Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and TNT at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

McCullough will play his first Game 7, seeking not just his second PBA title but to complete a rare feat among imports.

The former NBA player could become the third import to win a championship for two different teams, joining Billy Ray Bates and Bobby Parks. McCullough was a winner as San Miguel Beer import during the 2019 Commissioner’s Cup.

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“Super excited [for Game 7],” he said. “This is another opportunity to walk out here with a championship.”

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