Gilas Pilipinas face a daunting task in the second window of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers against New Zealand and Australia. But Quentin Millora-Brown and the rest of the team are embracing the challenge.
Is there a chance for Gilas Pilipinas to replicate their home win against New Zealand?
That’s what the Nationals are gunning for when the two teams collide once again in the second window of the FIBA World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers at the Mall of Asia Arena on Thursday, Feb. 26.
In front of their passionate crowd at the same venue two years ago, the Gilas pulled off a 93-89 win against the Tall Blacks, ending the latter’s unbeaten record over the Filipinos.
Unlike list time, though, Gilas will have to do it without Kai Sotto, who opted to sit out the window as he continues to manage his health following ACL injury.
But current Chiba Jets big man Quentin Millora-Brown is unfazed, saying Gilas has enough size right now to match up with the Tall Blacks and later, against the Australia Boomers.
“Right now, with who we have, I think we still have a really good chance with June Mar (Fajardo), AJ (Edu), and me at the bigs,” QMB told One Sports after practice on Monday, Feb. 23.
“AJ and I are agile, quick. We can keep up with all of them. June Mar is so big and strong. He's a real advantage there. So just finding the ways to maximize our advantages is important.”
While facing New Zealand and Australia is quite the tall order, QMB and the other bigs intend to hold the fort until Sotto returns.
“I always love our chances. You know, I think that we have a really big team that can match their size. But also we have speed and lots of talent,” Millora-Brown said.
“I think that this is a really good opportunity for us to be able to come out and showcase the Philippine basketball. With the coming window, I think that we have a really good chance at winning and proving ourselves.
“This is something that all of us on the team feel like it's a moment we have to prove ourselves. We haven't had success, but if we want to be successful and get back to the Olympics, this is step one.”
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Like most sportswriters, Jan Ballesteros once dreamed of becoming a professional hooper. But he learned the hard way that it’s not for everyone.
He continues to be involved in the sport he loves, but this time as a member of the PBA Press Corps. Aside from primarily covering the PBA, he is also assigned to cover Gilas Pilipinas.