
July 9 ------ JUSTIN Brownlee was named part of the All-Star Five in the Riga FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament after lifting Gilas Pilipinas to a semifinal finish. The Gilas Pilipinas naturalized player was joined on the list by Rihards Lomazs of Latvia, Jeremiah Hill of Cameroon, Leo Meindl of Brazil, and Bruno Caboclo of Brazil, who eventually won the tournament MVP trophy.
The All-Star Five distinction adds to the list of accomplishments of Brownlee, but this time, a first in a Gilas Pilipinas uniform. A three-time PBA Best Import, Brownlee averaged a tournament-high 23 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 6.3 assists in Gilas Pilipinas’ campaign in the FIBA OQT where they came two wins short of qualifying in the Paris Olympics.
Brownlee set the tone for Gilas Pilipinas in the tournament when he went off for 26 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists in the stunning upset of world No. 6 Latvia, 89-80, in front of their home fans. With no rest, Brownlee scored 28 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists in Gilas Pilipinas’ loss to Georgia that sealed its place in the semifinals. So good was Brownlee in the tournament that he was the primary focus of Brazil in their semifinal game. Brownlee was limited to 15 points in the Philippines’ 71-60 defeat.
After the FIBA OQT, Brownlee is set to rejoin Barangay Ginebra in its campaign in the PBA 49th Season Governors’ Cup where he will be eyeing for his seventh title in the domestic league.
Source: spin.ph
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