ONE-AND-DONE RECRUITS QMB, LANE OUT TO MAKE LASTING IMPRESSION

TIME is of the essence, all the more for one-and-dones Quentin Millora-Brown and Chase Lane.

The two highly-touted Fil-Ams understand that eyes will be on them to not just perform but also lead their respective schools to great heights this UAAP Season 87.

And both understand their mission.

"Win. That’s the only goal," said Millora-Brown, the 6-foot-10 center who is the shiniest new piece of the puzzle in University of the Philippines.

Lane, University of Santo Tomas’ uber-athletic 6-foot-4 forward, has the same thing in mind, saying: "I just want to show what I can do and help the team win."

Keeping the fight UP

Truth be told, having these lofty expectations is nothing new for Millora-Brown.

Attending NCAA Division I schools like Rice, Vanderbilt, and The Citadel in the past, the 24-year-old is used to these kinds of pressures.

"I’ve played at some of the highest levels so to me, winning is the expectation," he said. "I don’t put too much pressure on myself. I know it’s there but I try my best to just show up every day because it’s an everyday process. That’s how I approach it."

The only difference, however, will be Millora-Brown acting as a veteran to a relatively young Fighting Maroons frontline, a task that has been entrusted to him by coach Goldwin Monteverde.

"Malaking factor yung mabibigay niyang experience sa game," the soft-spoken tactician said of Millora-Brown. "Yung mga napagdaanan na before ni Q, he can share that to guide our bigs like Dikachi (Ududo), Gani (Stevens), and Sean (Alter). Us having him for a season will make those guys better in the following seasons."

Millora-Brown’s presence couldn’t come at a better time for UP which is still reeling following the graduation of Malick Diouf.

Losing a player of the caliber of the former UAAP would certainly hurt, all the more for a Fighting Maroons side dreaming of once again lifting the trophy, but the good news is that QMB has embraced that responsibility in guiding his frontcourt peers in Diliman.

PHOTO: Ivy Ferrer

"A lot of what I’ve been trying to do is talk to them, talk to the guys, explain my thoughts, and let them discover what works for them," said the banger from Lorton, Virginia. 

"I know what I bring and it’s that teaching the younger guys, keeping a level head when things start to go a little bit awry and when you feel a little bit of adversity, to just bringing that calm collectiveness to the team."

"It’s all about learning and teaching. I find that guys improve the fastest when you show them the path and they explore it on their own without forcing them to do it one way."

TrUST the underdogs

As for Lane, just the opportunity to finally strut his stuff for the Growling Tigers is already a victory of its own.

After all, he witnessed last year’s horror campaign so helplessly that he’s driven to trigger changes in Espana this time out.

"Words can’t even explain it. I’m ready to get this thing started and do what I can to help the team win," said the 24-year-old winger who previously played for Hill College, Tarleton State, and NCAA Division II school Claflin in Orangeburg, South Carolina.

One thing going the way of the East Hampton, New York-born standout is the immense belief that coach Pido Jarencio has for him.

That’s a double-edged sword, too, as he will have to constantly show that he’s worth his minutes.

"Ang maibibigay ko sa kanya is yung playing time, yung oras. Pero siya ang magpapakita dahil siya ang naglalaro," said the outspoken mentor. "Yung pressure, di ko binibigay sa kanya. Alam naman ni Chase na pag nag-perform siya, nasa loob siya. Pag di siya nag-perform, uupo ka sa bench."

But Lane knows that his impact shouldn’t just be felt on the court but off of it as well.

"I’m trying to offer all the knowledge on the game that I have to all the others. I might have a couple of dunks here and there, but what I want is to bring some high level energy on defense and to make sure that we practice at a high level everyday so that we can get better each day," he stated, owning up to the tag of being one of this batch’s seniors.

"It’s only as hard as you make it. I think I’m doing a good job on just controlling what I can control."

Quick first (and last) impressions

Brief as their forays will be in the collegiate scene, both Millora-Brown and Lane are determined to make it count.

QMB gave himself a good introduction, collecting 17 rebounds to establish himself as a force in the paint while also nabbing seven points, two assists, and two blocks.

Lane, for his part, was a starter and got two points, two assists, and a board in nine minutes of play.

Yet both made it clear that they’re not about the personal stats. What matters more is really trying to bring positive influence to their respective squads which they believe will contribute to achieving their targets and ultimately, win – which was exactly what they did in this opening weekend.

"There’s nothing better than bringing the underdog up to one of the big dogs," said Lane of his success-deprived UST side.

"I think we can definitely make it to the playoffs and I think we can get farther, too. Who knows, we might shock some people and get to the championship. Come out this season and shock the world: that’s what we plan to do."

For Millora-Brown, his goal for a championship-dreaming UP side is plain and simple: 

"It’s about continuing the legacy of winning here, doing my best to do a lasting impact on the team long beyond me, teaching the younger guys and continuing the tradition of working hard and winning. So for me, just making sure everyone knows I contributed to that legacy that UP has."

"We know what we do to win, so we just have to get back on what we need to do and we’ll be alright."

2024-09-09T14:15:51Z dg43tfdfdgfd