The 6-foot-10 Alumni of the UP Fighting Maroons is now granted to play as a local player for the Gilas Pilipinas national team after FIBA’s final ruling in his eligibility status.
Consolation Price After Losing Against Australia
Reported by Homer D. Sayson of Spin.ph, the news came in just a day after Gilas exited the playoffs of the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 after losing against Australia, 84-60.
According to Sayson: “FIBA has issued a final ruling on Quentin Millora-Brown, classifying the 6-foot-10 big as a local and not as a naturalized player after an appeal by the Fil-American’s legal team.”
He also added that: “Sources confirmed Millora-Brown’s team has received from FIBA its final decision on QMB’s status.”
Initial Thoughts of Head Coach Tim Cone Prior to and After the News
It can be recalled way back on July 28, 2025, when the Philippines played against the Macau Black Bears for a tune-up game in preparation for their FIBA Asia Cup stint, QMB had impressed Tim Cone.
“I feel really confident. But again, I can’t speak too much about it. I’m not a lawyer—I don’t know all the details of the case. But they tell me we’re in a strong position, and I trust them.” What the multi-titled Head Coach of Gilas shared with the public after Gilas won against Macau, 103-98.
“He’s awesome. I’d love to have him. He is physical. He gets to the offensive boards really well. Great size,” he added after seeing QMB’s performance as he recorded 6 points, 7 rebounds, 2 steals, and 1 block.
Now, in a message to Tiebreaker Times from a story made by Matthew Li, Cone said he had not yet heard from the federation regarding the update, but it would certainly help Gilas moving forward if true.
“I haven’t heard that, but if that is the case, we would certainly welcome him.”
A “GREAT” Addition for the Gilas Froncourt
If the stars align and Tim does include the 24-year-old QMB in his current Gilas Pilipinas pool and make him part of his long-term plans, the entire Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas will surely benefit from this.
In the recent FIBA Asia Cup, it was only AJ Edu who performed to be the next future center of Gilas. He still has a lot of polishing to do on the offensive side, but on defense? He is damn near perfect.
Japeth Aguilar should be removed from the current Gilas pool as his age and mobility have become an issue for the team. The 6-foot-9 center is now 38 years old, and many fans have shared their sentiments online for him to retire from his national team duties, considering he has represented the Philippines going all the way back during his teenage years.
Junemar Fajardo is a liability on the defensive side of the floor. He can’t defend agile international big men, as his speed isn’t just built for international tournaments. When he’s on the offensive side of the floor and he gets the ball, it’s an automatic 2 points for him. But his opponents will just outrun him and shoot a 3-pointer in his face on the other side of the floor.
Quentin Millora-Brown is what we would call “just what the Doctor ordered”. He’s fast, agile, has now developed his outside shooting, and may still work on his dribbling skills, but with Kai Sotto out for the rest of 2025 and probably early parts of 2026, QMB is undoubtedly needed now.
But the question is, will we see him in the FIBA World Cup 2027 Qualifiers? Gilas Pilipinas will play Guam on December 1.
Also, the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Bangkok, Thailand, is scheduled to be played from December 9 to 20. Is there a chance we will see QMB play in any of these tournaments?
