Gilas secures Millora-Brown’s services after reported contract dispute

MANILA, Philippines – Quentin Millora-Brown is suiting up for Gilas Pilipinas after all.

On Thursday, February 19, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) announced that the 6-foot-10 big man will join the national team for the second window of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers. 

This comes after head coach Tim Cone said earlier that Millora-Brown, who plays for the Chiba Jets in the Japan B. League, chose not to come due to a reported contract dispute with the SBP.

“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 SBP said in a statement. 

The addition of Millora-Brown is a crucial development for Gilas as it battles two world-class teams in Australia and New Zealand without 7-foot-3 center Kai Sotto.

Sotto, who also plays in Japan for the Koshigaya Alphas, returned to action just last January after a year-long layoff brought by his knee injury. 

Millora-Brown averaged 7.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks in the Philippines’ two-game sweep of Guam in the first window.

“The SBP appreciates his continued commitment to the program. He is ready to suit up for Gilas and is going to be an integral part of the current and future of the national team,” the federation said of Millora-Brown. 

Gilas will parade practically the same lineup as its first-window team, which featured Justin Brownlee, Dwight Ramos, Chris Newsome, Kevin Quiambao, Scottie Thompson, AJ Edu, June Mar Fajardo, CJ Perez, Carl Tamayo, Japeth Aguilar, and RJ Abarrientos.

It added Juan Gomez de Liaño and Justine Baltazar to the pool and bid farewell to Aguilar, who retired from national team duties after the first window. 

Toting a 2-0 record in Group A, the Philippines battles New Zealand (1-1) on February 26 and Australia (2-0) on March 1. – Rappler.com