QMB cites two Gilas 'must-dos' to have a chance vs NZ, Australia

February 25 ------ QUENTIN Millora-Brown said he is a lot more comfortable playing for Gilas Pilipinas in the second window of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers.

Millora-Brown is in line to play for Gilas in the two important games against New Zealand on February 26 and Australia on March 1 after joining training camp belatedly once the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas reached a last-ditch deal with his camp. “I’ve gotten a lot more comfortable with the system, with the way we want to play, that just 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,” said Millora-Brown in an interview posted by the SBP on its Facebook page.

Millora-Brown’s first two games with Gilas were against Guam, both of which the Filipinos won andily. But the third and fourth matches will be different as they face powerhouse teams in the Oceania region. “The size will be different. That’s the one thing I bring. 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,” said QMB. “I think (that’s what I’ll be) bringing and honestly, just have fun. You just need to have fun and everything takes care of itself,” said Millora-Brown.

The former University of the Philippines center said rebounding will be an important to Gilas' chances of winning, but so is limiting its turnovers. “That (rebounding) and protecting the ball,” said Millora-Brown. “They’re going to be pressing, they’re going to be up on the rebounds, making 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. Those two things I think are vital for us to come out with a win but also make sure none of us have too much pressure on ourselves. When you play tight, you don’t have fun, you don’t play well, you make mistakes.”

Source: spin.ph