DESPITE back-to-back losses to New Zealand and Australia, last-minute Gilas Pilipinas commit Quentin Millora-Brown walked away from the FIBA window with no regrets.
“Absolutely worth it. Always,” said QMB after Gilas fell to the Boomers, 66-93, on Sunday night at the Mall of Asia Arena which, combined with a 69-66 loss to the Tall Blacks on Thursday, pulled them down to 2-2 (win-loss) in Group A.
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“Always an amazing experience. Always an honor to represent. Only 12 guys get this opportunity per window. I take pride in that. I’m excited for the team’s future and growth,” added the former one-and-done star of the UP Maroons.
The national team may have gone 0-2 in this window, but it didn’t go down without a fight against world No. 6 Australia and New Zealand, which Gilas will face again in the final window of the World Cup qualifiers in July.
Despite the losses, Millora-Brown said the two games gave him an opportunity to know where he fits in Tim Cone’s system.
“This window was really good for me, just building my confidence, getting a feel for the system,” he said. “The last two games, I started figuring out where I fit well, where I can score. Defensively, that’s always there.”
Millora-Brown averaged 8.25 points and 7.5 rebounds across his first four games with the national team, highlighted by his 11 points, seven boards and one block in the 27-point loss to the Boomers.
The Filipino-American, however, said his priority is making life a bit easier for naturalized star Justin Brownlee and the shooters around him.
“Just continuing to do those things, trying to get Justin a little bit better looks, finding ways to get him and our shooters open, get them to their confidence spots.”
QMB admitted Australia’s defensive pressure disrupted their rhythm, adding Gilas needs to overcome the Boomers' physicality to have a shot at success in the return ties four or so months from now.
“We never really got into a confident flow throughout the game. They kept taking us out of our spots,” he said. “We need to break their physicality. Find ways to get downhill, get past the elbow. Those are things we need to do to win.”
Help is coming
He looks forward to teaming up with former collegiate rival Mike Phillips, who he believes can bolster the current Gilas pool.
“Oh my goodness, his energy is amazing. I think he’ll be a great spark for us. Really good defensive energy, hard roller, great screener.”
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