SBP tempers expectations over QMB clearance

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) was thrilled to hear the news that Quentin Millora-Brown was already given clearance to play as a local player in various international events.

But there’s a problem: It has yet to get any formal word from the International Basketball Federation (FIBA).

In a message to DAILY TRIBUNE, SBP president Al Panlilio is tempering their expectations over reports that the 6-foot-10 former University of the Philippines star was finally cleared to play as a local player by the world-governing body for basketball.

Millora-Brown is moving heaven and earth just to don the Gilas Pilipinas jersey.

In fact, shortly after being classified as a naturalized player by FIBA, his agent, Tod Sedel, formed a legal team that included prominent international sports law and arbitration lawyers Ale Mosca and Toni Verano to craft his appeal. On Thursday, their resilience paid off as FIBA reportedly reversed its decision by classifying Millora-Brown as a local player.

“Our lawyers Ale Mosca and Toni Verano were able to negotiate a successful final decision,” Millora-Brown's agent said in a report.

“I’m just thrilled for QMB because he wanted to represent the Philippines so badly, and I am grateful to FIBA for a favorable final decision.”

Fans celebrated the FIBA decision.

With Gilas Pilipinas suffering a gut-wrenching loss in the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup due to lack of ceiling brought by the absence of 7-foot-3 Kai Sotto, having Millora-Brown patrol the paint with 6-foot-10 AJ Edu and June Mar Fajardo  in the 2027 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers in November was welcome development.