UP one-and-done recruit Millora-Brown solid in debut

UP center Quentin Millora-Brown during a game against Ateneo in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — University of the Philippines center Quentin Millora-Brown stood tall in his UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball debut Saturday night.

Millora-Brown was an early revelation for the Fighting Maroons in their rousing 77-61 win over rival Ateneo at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

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The 6-foot-10 center, a one-and-done recruit, made his presence felt with 17 rebounds on top of seven points with a pair of blocks and assists in 25 minutes of action.

“It was an exciting first game for me. I’m glad that we got the win because that’s the most important thing. As a team, we just want to keep winning and I think that we’re just gonna keep improving as the season goes along,” said Millora-Brown.

READ: UAAP: UP dominates Ateneo in Season 87 opener

Q. Millora-Brown on UP’s depth.

He had 17 rebounds vs Ateneo. #UAAPSeason87@INQUIRERSportspic.twitter.com/NPJcjFjcT9

— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) September 7, 2024

The Filipino-American, who is filling in the void left by MVP Malick Diouf, downplayed his performance and owed his strong showing to the Fighting Maroons’ talented roster and depth.

“The focus was just on playing as a team. You know, the rebounds and points come. It canbe my night one night, JD’s (Cagulangan), it could be Francis’ (Lopez), it could be Dikachi [Ududo] ’s, anyone’s night,” he said. “We have a really talented team so, for me, I just focus on winning. Whatever it takes to win, whatever the team asks of me on each night.”

“I think that it’s just a matter of continuing to work with each other and learning how to play with each other even better as we get into the season. As we go along, we’ll find out what each one of us is best at with each other and we’ll be able to find what we need to win this year,” added the Citadel Graduate College product. “It’s not gonna be the same as the previous year. Just as next year is not gonna be the same as this year. So it’s just about finding what we have and using what we can.”

JD Cagulangan, who is in his final playing year, spearheaded UP with 17 points, seven rebounds and 10 assists.

The Maroons go for another victory on Saturday against University of the East also at the Big Dome.