At A Glance
- After being previously ruled out for the second window of the 2027 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers, Gilas Pilipinas has finally secured the commitment of 6-foot-10 center Quentin Millora-Brown.
It’s all’s well that ends well after all.
After being previously ruled out for the second window of the 2027 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers, Gilas Pilipinas has finally secured the commitment of 6-foot-10 center Quentin Millora-Brown.
The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas made the confirmation on Thursday, Feb. 19, with Millora-Brown already flying in from Japan to join the national team’s training camp at the Inspire Sports Academy in Laguna.
“After direct conversations with Quentin Milllora-Brown and his family, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas announces that he is en route to Manila from Japan,” the federation said in a statement.
“The SBP appreciates his continued commitment to the program. He’s ready to suit up for Gilas and is going to be an integral part of the current and future of the national team,” it added.
The talks came after Gilas head coach Tim Cone ruled out the 6-foot-10 center after QMB, according to the veteran mentor, ‘has chosen not to come’ for the second window of the qualifiers.
Millora-Brown’s camp, particularly his agent, refuted the claims saying that they were given a ‘take it or leave it’ offer. The camp cited a provision where QMB would be mandated to join Gilas even during a non-FIBA window — an arrangement that is seemingly made for him to participate in non-FIBA tournaments like the Asian Games.
Nonetheless, QMB’s participation should be a big boost for the Nationals especially after Kai Sotto has also decided to sit out this window to focus on his strengthening after recovering from an ACL injury.
The 7-foot-3 center, however, committed to re-join the national team in the third window of the qualifiers.
QMB, along with the rest of Gilas’ overseas-based players like Dwight Ramos, AJ Edu, Carl Tamayo and Kevin Quiambao are arriving within the week.
Already inside the camp are PBA players Chris Newsome, June Mar Fajardo,CJ Perez, Calvin Oftana, Scottie Thompson, Troy Rosario, RJ Abarrientos, Juan Gomez de Liano and most recent addition Justine Baltazar.
The Nationals are hosting New Zealand on Feb. 26 at the Mall of Asia Arena before taking on Australia on March 1 at the same venue.