MANILA, Philippines — Gilas Pilipinas coach Tim Cone is confident that first-time national player Quentin Millora-Brown can help plug the hole at the slot in the absence of young big man Kai Sotto, who is still recovering from a torn ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) on his knee.
The 6-foot-10 former University of the Philippines slotman known by his initials QMB, is one of two new faces in the Gilas side that will face Guam in the first window of the 2027 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers set to start this Friday.
“That’s one of the main things, he’s a tremendous rebounder, tremendous weakside rebounder,” Cone said, in describing the 25-year-old Filipino-American center.
The American mentor first saw QMB play first hand last July when Gilas played against the Macau Black Bears in a sendoff game prior to the Philippine team’s FIBA Asia Cup 2025 participation in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
The last week, Cone also worked Millora-Brown with the rest of the Gilas members in practice at the Blue Eagle gym and Upper Deck, before spending three more days in their training camp held at the Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba, Laguna.
“He’s gonna play off the ball from June Mar (Fajardo). And we’re gonna be able to clean on the weak side,” explained the 67-year-old Cone. “He has a nose for the ball, he’s big and he’s athletic. He can surprise you with some of the things he does.” The Gilas mentor is convinced that Millora-Brown, who also played for Citadel and Vanderbilt in college, is an “intelligent player” who plays within his strengths. “He plays with great intelligence and he doesn’t try to go out and play the stuff he can’t do,” he added.
Cone said he’s also impressed with the fact that QMB learned the triangle offense that fast in the short period of time with Gilas.
“(It’s) Just not the great ability but the great intelligence he lends to this team,” he said. “I’m really impressed how fast he picks up the triangle offensively and defensively.” Millora-Brown is seen by Cone as the future of Gilas, along with Carl Tamayo and Kevin Quiambao, who are also just in their mid-20s.
After Gilas’ away game against Guam this Friday at the Calvo Field house, action will then shift to Manila on Dec. 1 where the Philippines plays host at the Blue Eagle gym.