UP’s Perasol tips hat to those who helped QMB get local status
When Quentin Millora-Brown finally gets to don a Gilas Pilipinas jersey, it will mark not just the beginning of a career with the national program. It would also mean the end of a long road the high-IQ big man took toward reclaiming his nationality.
Millora-Brown was supposed to have a clear path to the Gilas program, his mother being a Filipino and with a lot of his relatives still here.
That’s why when the University of the Philippines recruited him, the former Citadel standout in the US NCAA let the school know he was in it to accomplish two goals.
“The reason why he wanted to play here in the Philippines when we talked to him a few years ago when he was still in Tennessee in Vanderbilt was one, to play for UP and two, to play for the national team,” Perasol revealed in a phone call with the Inquirer.
But what was supposed to be a quick resolution turned into a winded journey of completing his papers. And aside from his two hardworking lawyers, Perasol said Millora-Brown got a lot of help from several Philippine sports officials.
Surprisingly, it took a joint effort to really get things done—the long slew of paperworks and questions about his eligibility came to light after his title run with the State U last season.
“There’s no question about his bloodline because his mother’s a Filipino. He just needed his papers to be recognized.”
On Friday (Manila time), Millora-Brown was finally recognized by Fiba (International Basketball Federation) as a local, meaning he can suit up for Gilas Pilipinas any time he is called up. The timing couldn’t be more perfect. If national coach Tim Cone needs an extra big man to battle against the likes of Australia and New Zealand in the World Cup qualifiers, Millora-Brown is readily available.
Right after the Fighting Maroons’ triumphant title run in UAAP Season 87, the 6-foot-10 center already voiced his interest in donning the national colors.
Millora-Brown had 14 points and 10 rebounds in the deciding Game 3 that UYP won to take back the men’s basketball crown.
“Right after the UAAP, there was a long struggle [to confirm his eligibility] because apparently, he couldn’t meet the Fiba requirements right away,” said Perasol.
“There were questions and all of that. In fact, a lot of people helped. We got to talk to SBP (Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas) executive director Erika Dy, [national team manager] Alfrancis Chua called, and so did [SBP president] Al Panlilio,” he added.
Perasol revealed that even the Philippine Sports Commission’s Patrick Gregorio wrote to Fiba officials, asking them to recognize Millora-Brown’s Filipino lineage.
“He appealed for Fiba to accept his requirement because Q (Millora-Brown’s nickname) is really a Pinoy,” the former PBA coach said. “He wrote to two Fiba officials, asking them to ease up on his requirements because he is really Filipino.”
