Justin Brownlee of the Philippines in action against Latvia in the group phase of the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Riga. FIBA photo

Gilas Pilipinas may not have punched a ticket to the Olympics, but they will not go home entirely empty-handed from Riga, Latvia.

READ: Gilas Pilipinas’ Olympics hopes dashed after second-half meltdown against Brazil

Much-loved naturalized player Justin Brownlee was rewarded for his impressive play with a place in the All-Star Five of the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Riga. 

The resident import of Barangay Ginebra averaged 23.0 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 6.3 assists in three games for the Philippines while shooting 46.2% from the field and 43.5% from long distance.

FIBA called Brownlee "absolutely epic" in the qualifiers, which saw Gilas Pilipinas pull off a stunner against host nation Latvia in the group stage before bowing out in the semis against Brazil.

"Brownlee was such a beast in every way on the floor and was the inspiring factor for the Gilas Pilipinas," FIBA said.

Filipinos are no strangers to Brownlee's heroics but he introduced himself to a wider audience in the qualifiers, and head coach Tim Cone stressed that the versatile swingman deserves to play at the highest level.

"He's dominant there, and he's always engaged. When he's aggressive, there's just nobody, nobody better than him. Somebody, I've said this before, somebody in the NBA missed out on this guy. Somebody in the NBA missed out. They weren't on the ball. They should've seen this guy. He never should've been in the Philippines. He should be in the NBA," Cone said of Brownlee.

Kai Sotto, the Philippines' 7-foot-3 center, told FIBA that Brownlee is the Philippine equivalent of Michael Jordan.

"The world doesn't really know much about Justin Brownlee, but for me, he's the Michael Jordan of Philippine basketball. That's what we expect him to do and that's what he does every night," he said.

Brownlee, who is loved in the Philippines for his humility and attitude as much as for his winning ways, had downplayed his coach and teammate's praise.

"I definitely appreciate the compliment, [but] I would be nothing without my teammates," he said.

Brownlee was joined in the All-Star Five by Brazil's Bruno Caboclo, who powered his nation's victory in the final against Latvia as they secured the lone Olympic berth at stake in the qualifier. Caboclo averaged 17.8 points, 7.0 rebounds, and two blocks per game en route to winning MVP honors in the qualifiers.

Also part of the All-Star Five are Brazil's Leo Meindl, Latvia's Rihards Lomazs, and Cameroon's Jeremiah Hill.

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