Photo from the ABL
With Brownlee and Alab Pilipinas looking to make a deep run into the ABL playoffs, Ginebra goes for Edwards, for now
If you're a die-hard Ginebra fan and you're already excited for the Commissioner's Cup to begin because you will see Justin Brownlee in the new Ginebra uniform, you will need to wait a little longer.
With the Commissioner's Cup expected to open on April 21, 2018, and with the Gin Kings having their first game of the mid-conference the next day, they won't have Justin Brownlee around for that game, and the succeeding games until Brownlee's ABL stint is completed.
Justin Brownlee and the rest of the San Miguel Alab Pilipinas that is coached by Jimmy Alapag, have been playing well in the ABL, owning a 13-6 record which put them in 4th place. They are actually half a game behind the league-leading Chong Son Kung Fu and if things work well for Alab Pilipinas, they will definitely make a deep run into the playoffs. In fact, Alab Pilipinas is one of the teams that has been favored to fight for the title this season.
Having said that, the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings will have no choice but to wait until Justin Brownlee becomes available to play for the crowd darlings. Until then, fans will have to be happy with their stand-in import.
Enter, Shane Edwards, currently seeing action for CLS Indonesia in the ABL.
Shane Edwards will play for Ginebra as a stand-in for Justin Brownlee. The announcement came from Sheryl Reyes, PBA's import agent who made the announcement through the social media.
Shane Edwards isn't a stranger to the PBA as he was the import of the Alaska Aces, also in a stand-in capacity for Robert Dozier during the 2016 Commissioner's Cup. During his 10-game stint with the Aces, Edwards normed 22 points and 11 rebounds.
Conclusion
While there's no doubt that Shane Edwards will definitely be a big help for Ginebra who is coming off a disappointing semifinal exit which came at the hands of the San Miguel Beermen, he will need to blend well with the Gin Kings real quick because chemistry is one of the reasons why Ginebra has been so successful with Justin Brownlee on board. Chemistry and charisma. Who knows? Even as a stand-in import, Shane Edwards might be able to prove to the PBA that he deserves to be signed as a permanent import.
