DEFENSE prevailed over offense.
At least that's what had been established after Game 1 of the PBA Governors Cup finals which TNT won in dominant fashion against Barangay Ginebra, 104-88.
The Tropang Giga's defensive scheme didn't allow the league's top three point shooting team get into the groove and took the opener of the best-of-seven series played out before a bursting crowd of 11,021 at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
Justine Brownlee said it won't going to be easy for the Kings the rest of the title series as they expect the Tropang Giga to continue shutting down their outside strides following their success on Sunday night.
The Kings were held to just 39 percent (30-of-77) from the field, including a miserable 2-of-21 from beyond the arc.
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Prior to the finals, Ginebra is topped among teams in terms of three-point shooting after norming 37 percent from the are.
"TNT, they're the best defensive team this conference. And it's not going to be easy," said the Gilas Pilipinas naturalized player.
"Coach Tim (Cone) definitely explained that to us from the past week that we've been preparing."
Brownlee himself didn't shoot the ball well, though he did finish with a game-high 23 points, grabbed seven rebounds, and dished off six assists.
The 36-year-old import was 8-of-21 from the field.
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Brownlee said the Kings have to find ways to get their shots going and avoid the slow start they had in Game 1 from which they failed to recover.
"They jumped the gun on us. We actually kind of gotten back into the game with a few runs, but every time we seemed to get a run and get into the game, they made big stops, big shots on offense," said the veteran import. "So well-deserved win for them. They came in and executed what they want to do and got the W."(RG)