MANILA, Philippines – There was only one person on Quentin Millora-Brown’s mind when he hit the dagger free throws that sealed the championship for UP in Game 3 of their UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball finals against La Salle last Sunday, December 15.
That was his late grandfather and UP alumnus Dr. Angel Millora, who passed away in November.
“I just think of my lolo and I hope that he’s smiling down on me with my lola up in heaven,” said the one-and-done Millora-Brown.
With UP on top by only 2 points, 64-62, Millora-Brown calmly sank a pair of pressure-packed foul shots after getting fouled hard by La Salle’s Mike Phillips with only 11.3 seconds left to make it a two possession game.
Those free throws proved to be the final points of the season as the Green Archers failed to respond in the endgame, allowing the Fighting Maroons to capture their second title in four seasons in front of a record-breaking 25,248 fans at the Araneta Coliseum.
“Basketball was one of his passions, along with medicine. He would always try and coach me and it was always free throws,” said Millora-Brown of his grandfather.
“He would always talk about free throws and being able to come in and hit two clutch free throws in the end was a great nod to him.”
“I’m just so happy,” he added.
The 6-foot-10 Millora-Brown was the difference maker for the Fighting Maroons all throughout their three-game finals series versus the Green Archers.
After averaging 8.6 points and 9.4 rebounds in the eliminations, Millora-Brown hiked his scoring numbers up to 14 points, along with 9 rebounds in the finals.
In Game 1, Millora-Brown dropped a career-high 17 points to lead UP to a 73-65 win, before producing another team-best 14 points to go with 10 rebounds in their title-clinching 66-62 Game 3 victory.
After playing his final collegiate game, the 24-year-old Millora-Brown said he’s open to suiting up for Gilas Pilipinas if the opportunity presents itself, but is taking it one step at a time for now.
“It’ll be an amazing opportunity if it comes up, but I’m just taking it one day at a time. I’m trying to figure out where I’m going to play next, doing all that, and I’m just excited for any opportunities that’ll come my way,” he said. – Rappler.com