Unlike most of his teammates, Quentin Millora-Brown has only one shot at helping University of the Philippines (UP) reclaim the throne.
So, the Filipino-American big man is ready to give it all once the opening whistle is blown in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 87 men’s basketball finals against defending champion De La Salle University.
A one-and-done recruit, Millora-Brown wants to leave behind a winning legacy despite a short stint for the Fighting Maroons.
“For me, it’s just all about winning. Whatever it takes. Everyone needs to step up on the team,” the 6-foot-10 versatile center said.
He and the rest of the Diliman-based squad are ready to pull out all the stops in the best-of-three championship series rematch slated to begin on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“Everyone knows that there’s going to be sacrifices that need to be made. Just being prepared to do whatever it takes,” he added.
Millora-Brown will play a big role in UP’s fourth straight finals appearance as the state university tries to win back the title it lost two years ago after ruling the Season 84 crown in the league’s return from a pandemic-forced hiatus.
He was a monster in 13 games in the elimination round averaging 8.62 points, 9.46 rebounds and 1.38 blocks per game.
The modern big was also a key factor in the Fighting Maroons’ 78-69 win over University of Santo Tomas in the Final Four last week.
Millora-Brown finished with nine points, hauled down 19 rebounds, swatted away four shots and even dished out three assists in a well-rounded showing.
He also displayed maturity and great resolve during his first and last semis game despite being on the receiving end of rough plays by the Growling Tigers including an elbow to the gut delivered by UST guard Forthsky Padrigao, who was later ejected from the game.
Millora-Brown’s height, power, talent, heart and mental toughness will be needed by the Fighting Maroons once they take on once again the back-to-back Most Valuable Player Kevin Quiambao and Mike Phillips-led Green Archers. UP has yet to win a game against La Salle after getting swept in their elims head-to-head.
And he welcomes the challenge.
“As they said, and I said, just be prepared for whatever happens. The coaching staff is gonna give us the game plan and it’s up to us to execute,” he said.
Interestingly, Millora-Brown will only play his second game against La Salle in the series opener after skipping their second round meeting to fly to the US and attend his grandfather’s funeral.