MANILA (Philippines) - Simply being called up to be part of the Philippines' pool for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers was more than enough reason for Quentin Millora-Brown to beam with so much pride.
The goal is always to win, right?
But to actually be included to the final 12-man lineup tasked to carry the fight for Gilas in the fast-approaching Window 1 makes him all the more blessed, for he's earned himself a spot which many could only wish for.
"That's a dream come true, right?" he said, smiling.
"I think there are so many, like, hundreds of thousands of people who would do anything to have this position. And being one of the 12 selected, one of 18 in the pool, like, what an honor it is," he furthered.
It's indeed a dream come true for "QMB", as what many refer to him, although this Team Philippines stint isn't solely about himself but an ode of sorts as well to one of the most influential figures in his life: his grandfather.
His 'lolo,' the late Dr. Angel Millora, served as a guiding light of his while growing up, and the one who made him fall in love with basketball - one of two things he was passionate about aside from medicine, being a physician.
"Growing up, just always around him with a basketball, as a little kid he would play give-away with me like holding it out here," he recalled while extending his arm, "and, I'm trying to get it. We shoot hoops, too."
"Lots of really great memories I have with him, my lolo," he added.
It was also his grandpa that encouraged him to play in the Philippines after playing NCAA Division 1 basketball in the USA, which saw him suit up for Rice before transferring to Vanderbilt and, lastly, to Citadel.
So, the 2.08 M (6'10") center decided to enroll in a master's program at the University of the Philippines, where Dr. Millora was a proud alumnus of as he graduated in the UP College of Medicine back in 1963.
The rest is history. Millora-Brown went one-and-done with the Fighting Maroons, and made it so memorable as he helped the team clinch the UAAP Season 87 men's basketball crown just last year.
Since then, he's become busy carving out the kind of career he's hoping for. Months after that championship run, the native of Washington D.C. went on to sign with the Macau Black Bears for his first professional gig.
Soon, he's about to add yet another feather to his cap as he's set to represent the Philippines in the global stage. And definitely, his 'Lolo Angel' is smiling down from heaven with what his grandson has been achieving.
"He instilled my love for basketball in me," he said.
Now, it's all about proving to everybody that he deserves to be with Gilas in this upcoming window, where he's coming in as one of its more intriguing prospects given that he's joined the national squad just recently.
Millora-Brown has only been with the team for literally weeks and remains in the process of being indoctrinated with Coach Tim Cone's triangle offense, but is liking his progress thus far thanks to his veterans.
"Having the vets around to kind of help me out, it was really nice," he shared. "When I make a little mistake, they just tap me into the right spot, and, bam, I'm good from there once I get to the right spot."
"Anytime I'm a little bit off-course, they just fix you right away," he added.
It does take time to learn a team's scheme of things, let alone a system as vaunted as the triangle. But Millora-Brown is growing confident of taking it all into heart sooner as he appreciates the flexibility it provides.
"I feel really good," he said. "I love the freedom that Coach Cone's triangle offense has. I love being able to play in the post but also on the wing. You know, it's all about making the right reads, with the right timing and pace."
"So, I think that as I get to be more and more comfortable, it will just feel even more natural for me to slide right into those spots," added the 24-year-old, who's adding more size to a frontcourt that's still missing Kai Sotto.
Window 1 will be the start of what could potentially be a long FIBA career for the youngster, and a stepping stone as well toward the success he envisions for the men's team to have which includes an Olympic appearance.
He's dreaming big for the Philippines, needless to say, but Millora-Brown is keeping himself grounded at the same time for he knows that such grand aspirations can't be attained overnight and will have to be worked for.
And all that will begin in their two matches against Guam.
"The goal is always to win, right? To get the Philippines back to the Olympics and do well and succeed there. But obviously, that starts with these two games against Guam and then we take it one window at a time," he said.
FIBA