Rebounding and staying composed are two crucial facets of the game that Gilas Pilipinas must control to better its chances of beating towering teams New Zealand and Australia in the second window of the 2027 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers.
The task of clearing the glass both offensively and defensively rests on the shoulders of Gilas’ big men, including young frontliner Quentin Millora-Brown.
“It’s huge. I think that and protecting the ball, turnovers, right? They’re going to be pressing, they’re going to be up on the rebounds,” the 6-foot-10 player said in an interview with former Gilas forward Gabe Norwood posted on Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) Facebook page.
“So, we have to make sure we don’t turn the ball over because that’s what they want to do. They want to speed us up, get us out of our rhythm. So, those two things I think are vital for us to come out with a win.”
Millora-Brown and Gilas will be tested today against the Tall Blacks before taking on the Boomers on Sunday in a pair of home games to be held at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The University of the Philippines product is making his second tour of duty after helping Gilas sweep Guam in home and away games in the opening round late last year.
Millora-Brown averaged 7.5 points, 9.5 rebounds and 1.0 assists in his first two games wearing the tricolors.
Now back for more action, the Filipino-American feels more comfortable under the system of head coach Tim Cone.
“I mean, I think for me, I’ve gotten a lot more comfortable with the system, with the way that we want to play. So, just the last window, obviously, still new, still trying to figure it all out.”
But this window, I feel a lot more confident in how I would fit in, how I’m going to play,” Millora-Brown said.
He believes his size will be a big help for Gilas sans 7-foot-3 Kai Sotto, in facing the much taller Oceania powerhouse squads.
“For me, I think probably just the size is different, right? That’s the one thing I bring that you just can’t, you can’t train size. So, just being big and strong and physical with those guys because Australia and New Zealand are two crazy big teams,” the 25-year-old Millora-Brown added.