Stevens eyes bigger role with QMB now gone
Gani Stevens will be entrusted with a larger role in the University of the Philippines’ defense of the UAAP crown with Quentin Millora-Brown no longer around to man the middle.
Stevens is entering his second season in Diliman after seeing limited action during the Fighting Maroons’ Season 87 title run, and he hopes to make sure that Millora-Brown’s departure won’t be felt severely.
“My role this year is to be that anchor in the middle, especially coming into my second year here at UP. I need to make a bigger impact,” Stevens said ahead of UP’s 88th season campaign that tips off this weekend.
Stevens played 17 games last year for the Diliman side, though he only appeared an average of eight minutes per game.
He also averaged 2.1 points and 2.2 rebounds during the season that ended with the Fighting Maroons defeating the La Salle Green Archers for the title.
Millora-Brown was a one-and-done player for UP, and Stevens will be among those seen as vital in making sure that the work down low is taken care of.
“I want to be someone that can defend and rebound well, then offensively, be someone who can do the little things. Putbacks, drop passes floaters offensive rebounds, screens etc.,” Stevens said.
The Fighting Maroons launch their back-to-back aspirations on Sunday when they battle the host University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers at the latter’s Quadricentennial Pavilion.
UP will also play minus JD Cagulangan and Francis Lopez, who are now playing pro ball overseas.
But UP is set to field Rey Remogat, who the Maroons recruited out of the University of the East and who underwent a one-year residency period.
