MANILA -- Quentin Millora-Brown is relishing the opportunity to be part of the Gilas Pilipinas pool after being classified by FIBA as a local player.
Millora-Brown, also known as QMB, attended the national team's first two training sessions ahead of their next tour of duty for the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers.
"It's been awesome. Coach [Tim Cone] has been building it up slowly. But I think that I'm in a good spot to keep building and really take off from here," he told ABS-CBN News on Wednesday.
"I'm excited for the next couple of days as we really get into what the triangle will look like. And I'm excited about getting to know the guys and getting to play with them," Millora-Brown added.
READ: Tim Cone says Quentin Millora-Brown to suit up for Gilas in November qualifiers
READ: June Mar Fajardo calls Kai Sotto, QMB the future, says Gilas career nearing the end
The 6-foot-10 center said he's been adjusting well to the system of Cone and his Gilas teammates.
"It's been nice. I think I have a lot of different pieces. But putting it together the way Coach Tim wants, it's been good. I'm excited about being able to play that freely and having that openness in our system. And I'm excited about being able to do it with the guys," he shared.
The last time QMB was in the country, he suited up for the Macau Black Bears in a tune-up game against Gilas.
"It's always been a dream to represent the Philippines and being able to be on the correct side of the ball this time is awesome," he said.
"It's been a long process and working with SBP just to get the local status. Finding out I got the local status, I was ecstatic. And I was excited just having the opportunity to play has been awesome," Millora-Brown added.
It was only last August that FIBA classified Millora-Brown as a local, paving the way for his inclusion into the Gilas Pilipinas pool.
READ: FIBA classifies Quentin Millora-Brown as Philippine local -- SBP
While the Final 12 is not yet set in stone, QMB said he's ready to step up in the absence of Gilas big man Kai Sotto, who is still recovering from injury.
"Absolutely. I look forward to both filling in his shoes and also playing with him in the future. I think that the two of us bring some size that no other teams can compete with. I'm excited about that prospect as well down the line," he said.
Millora-Brown shared what fans can expect from him when he makes his Gilas debut.
"I think the usual things that I bring: hustle, effort, attention to detail, defense. The things I can control. I can't always control if the ball goes in, I can't always control what the refs call. But I know the things I can control. Bringing those at the highest level I can, that's what you can always expect out of me," he said.
Just like his UAAP championship with the UP Fighting Maroons, Millora-Brown dedicates this national team pool call-up to his late grandfather.
"I mean it's the same, you know. He's like the person who gave me my love of basketball, my lolo. So just you know. I hope I can make him proud," he said.