THE wait is over for Quentin Millora-Brown as he becomes part of the Gilas Pilipinas pool for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers.
“I’m super excited about the opportunity,” said QMB after his first practice on Tuesday at the Blue Eagle Gym. “I can’t even really put into words the excitement I have to be here, to have this opportunity to represent the Philippines.
"I’m just so happy about it.”
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It felt like a long wait for QMB after he launched an appeal to be considered as a local player, instead of a naturalized player, for Gilas in FIBA competitions. He finally got the nod to play as a local last August.
“It’s a lot of paperwork, just sending things to places and waiting for responses, that’s really all it’s been. Just waiting, waiting, waiting. A lot of get it, send it, wait, get it, send it, wait,” Millora-Brown said.
“And now that it’s done, it's like a weight off your chest,” he added.
So tedious was the process that it felt like forever to wait for the decision.
“I feel like it was a long process, but in reality it was probably not too bad of a process. It was probably right around the average time, but when you're the one waiting, it always feels longer,” said Millora-Brown.
But now that all things are settled, Millora-Brown can finally focus on the task as he becomes part of the 18-man Gilas pool under head coach Tim Cone for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers.
“First day was great,” said Millora-Brown. “Getting to know all the guys and get to play with them a little bit more than just playing against them has been awesome. Coach Tim kind of touched into the triangle a little bit, but really he’s just putting down the building blocks so that way we can really start running in the next couple of practices. So it’s been great."
QMB is also thrilled to be on the same team with fellow University of the Philippines players Juan Gomez de Liaño and Carl Tamayo, his former teammate during his stint with the Maroons.
“We [Gomez de Liaño] were talking today. Everything, UP life, all of it. It’s awesome. And then Carl will be back soon too, so we’re excited about that, when Carl gets back, just being able to chat and talk about all that,” said QMB.
The 6-foot-10 Millora-Brown said all he can promise for Gilas is bring in the hardwork every day.
“What I’ve always been is hard work, energy, and that’s what I’ll always contribute. Those are the things that you can control. You can’t control if the shot is always made. You can’t control how the refs are going to call the game.
"But you can always control your energy, effort, attention to the details. That’s what I bring every day. Defense, hard work, and that’s what I’m going to give my all. Everything is going to be left out on the floor,” QMB added.
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