Macau’s Quentin Millora-Brown during an exhibition game against Gilas Pilipinas at Araneta Coliseum.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—It’s been a long wait for Quentin Millora-Brown’s classification from naturalized to local.
But with his size and skill, Millora-Brown will certainly be of big help to Gilas Pilipinas.
READ: Tim Cone would gladly add Quentin Millora-Brown to his shallow Gilas pool
In a phone call with the Inquirer, University of the Philippines athletic director Bo Perasol said Millora-Brown’s localization benefits not just the Philippine national team but also the 6-foot-10 bruiser.
“I’m happy for him and it’s a plus for everyone,” said the former Fighting Maroons coach.
“Depending on coach Tim (Cone), if he really wants it, there’s that option so it’s a plus for him and it’s a plus for Q.”
Perasol said Millora-Brown’s intent to join the Philippine national team stemmed even before he played for State U in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament.
But his dreams of playing for Gilas hit a snag after he was only eligible to suit up as a naturalized player at first.
READ: Quentin Millora-Brown appeals Gilas eligibility to Fiba
The 25-year-old Filipino-American, however, was reportedly granted classification as a local player. The development has Gilas head coach Tim Cone licking his chops.
“Nothing official yet, but we’re certainly excited about putting him on the lineup if it does become official,” Cone replied in a text message to the Inquirer’s query on reports that Millora-Brown won his appeal with the governing Fiba and is now classified as a local.
Millora-Brown last played for the Macau Black Bears, who played Cone’s Gilas in a tune-up late last month before the Nationals left for Jeddah, Saudi Arabia ahead of the 2025 Fiba Asia Cup.
“It’s a big plus for Q to be able to represent [the Philippines] for all of us. There was never a question on his mind about it.”
In Millora-Brown’s lone game against Gilas as part of the Black Bears, he tallied six points and seven rebounds in a 103-98 loss.