Gilas Pilipinas will have the services of big man Quentin Millora-Brown for the 2027 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers second window.

Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) announced Thursday that the 6-foot-10 center is on his way to join Gilas’ preparation for the home matches against New Zealand and Australia on 26 February and 1 March at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

Initially, Millora-Brown had been ruled out with Gilas head coach Tim Cone saying that he “chose not to come,” leaving a giant hole at the middle with 7-foot-3 Kai Sotto still unavailable after suffering a knee injury and Jamie Malonzo skipping the window.

Fortunately, the negotiations went well and the federation was able to strike a deal with the 6-foot-10 former University of the Philippines Fighting Maroon.

“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,” according to the SBP’s official statement.

“The SBP appreciates his continued commitment to the program. He’s ready to suit up for Gilas and is going to be an integral part of the current and future of the national team.”

Cone said with Millora-Brown finally on board, they will be able to train with a complete roster with barely five days before tip-off. After all, Japan-based Carl Tamayo was also scheduled to arrive late Thursday as well as South Korean-based Kevin Quiambao on Friday.

“He’s arriving later, so is Carl,” Cone said in a short message to DAILY TRIBUNE when asked if Millora-Brown will finally be suiting up.

“KQ is arriving tomorrow. Then we’ll be complete with five days to go.”

With Millora-Brown signing the dotted line, the crisis of playing with a small lineup against the taller, stronger and more agile Tall Blacks and Boomers had been averted.

Actually, Millora-Brown’s absence was compounded by a controversial statement made by his representatives on Wednesday, saying that his absence was due to some terms in his Gilas contract that were “ethically and morally” hard to accept.

But SBP didn’t take it at face value. With the help of University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) representative Bo Perasol, the federation was able to directly talk with Millora-Brown and his family to successfully seal a pact for another tour of duty.

Perasol, who brought Millora-Brown to the country to play for the Fighting Maroons as a one-and-done player, clarified that he is never after the contract.

“That’s not his desire. Ever since, his desire, even before playing for UP, was really to play for the Philippine national team,” Perasol, now the chief of UP Office for Athletics and Sports Development, said in a telephone conversation.

“We just threshed out some details and made everybody understand where we’re coming from. In a way, a lot of things were lost in translation. That’s what’s happening initially. When he was given an explanation, right away, his family agreed that he’s ready to play for the team.”

Millora-Brown’s decision to play boosted Gilas’ frontline composed of veteran June Mar Fajardo, AJ Edu and newcomer Justine Baltazar.