WHY NOT QMB FOR SEA GAMES?

Quentin Millora-Brown has the golden ticket to play as an Asian heritage import in the Japanese B-League but to activate the status, needs to play for Gilas at least in a game to prove his local eligibility. It’s the reason why he’s in coach Tim Cone’s pool for the FIBA World Cup Asia qualifying window on Nov. 28-Dec. 1.

QMB’s goal is apparently to play in Japan where teams will pay a premium for an Asian heritage big man. The word is he’s been hanging out in Japan, presumably checking out takers and offers. What’s disconcerting is a seeming disinterest in suiting up for coach Norman Black in the coming SEA Games.

Black said he was initially in contact with QMB’s handlers but when it came to pinning down commitments, talks broke off. Is it because basketball in the SEA Games isn’t FIBA sanctioned and won’t enhance his chances to play in the B-League? If that’s the case, you wonder the extent of QMB’s commitment to the national team. Is his commitment to Gilas not for the country but for the key to play in the B-League? One thing for sure, Black could definitely use his services in Bangkok.

Bringing QMB over to local shores wasn’t easy. First, UP had to get UAAP approval to allow him to play as a one-and-done despite burning five years of college basketball in the US. For the record, he had stayed six years in college, including his redshirt season. QMB saw action for Rice University in 2018-19 then for Vanderbilt University from 2020-21 to 2022-23 after sitting out 2019-20. Then, he played for The Citadel in 2023-24.

UAAP allows a limit of playing five years of college basketball, whether here or abroad. But an exception was made for QMB because the US NCAA, whose limit is four years, granted him an exception to play five because of the COVID-shortened season in 2020-21.

Next came QMB’s appeal to be recognized as a local by FIBA. SBP submitted an appeal for exception since QMB acquired his Philippine passport after 16. At first, FIBA rejected the appeal but reversed its position after QMB’s lawyers got involved in the process. You wonder if the lawyers did it for QMB to play for Gilas as a local or to secure a handsome contract in the B-League. But is that an issue? The bottom line is QMB is now cleared to play for Gilas as a local and once he plays even just a game, he’ll be good to go in the B-League. By the way, QMB is eligible to play in the SEA Games on the strength of his Philippine passport regardless of when it was issued.

QMB could’ve applied for the PBA draft last September but opted not to just like other blue-chip college players, including Kevin Quiambao and JD Cagulangan. Surprisingly, he was on the Macau Black Bears lineup for the Gilas exhibition game before the FIBA Asia Cup last July. So QMB’s been busy smelling out contracts beyond the Philippines.

2025-11-03T16:31:34Z