Quentin Millora-Brown during Game 1 of the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball Finals between La Salle Green Archers and UP Fighting Maroons. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Quentin Millora-Brown is a win closer to experiencing a championship in his first and only season in the UAAP.

Millora-Brown stood tall in the University of the Philippines’ 73-65 win over defending champion La Salle in Game 1 of the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball finals on Sunday in front of 16,202 fans at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The 6-foot-10 center, who was limited to four points in the first half, gave the Fighting Maroons a huge lift in the last two quarters to finish with a career-high 17 points, nine rebounds, three assists, and two steals.

RESULTS: UAAP Season 87 basketball Finals Game 1 – La Salle vs UP

UP could wrap it up in Game 2 and give Millora-Brown a special farewell.

“It means so much to me. It is the place that my grandfather went to school, it’s the place that… I was so glad to be able to make those memories, things that he’s seen, things that he’s done and just the pride that I feel when I wear the jersey, just be able to win the next game and finish out the season in the right way,” said Millora-Brown.

Quentin Millora-Brown rises for a slam in Game 1 of the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball Finals between La Salle Green Archers and UP Fighting Maroons. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

“It would be amazing, but we know that it’s a tough road. We have a lot to do here as we prepare for the second game because La Salle’s not gonna back down. They’re gonna come out with more fight next game. We have to step up to that level.”

Millora-Brown missed their second-round loss to La Salle as he needed to fly back to the United States due to the passing of his grandfather. 

The one-and-done UP big said his big game was a result of his hard work and coaches’ “great gameplan” to draw first blood against his team’s tormentors last year. 

UAAP: Quentin Millora-Brown takes pride in his rebounding ways

“All the work we’ve put in in the first two rounds and the Final Four, it’s leading up to this moment. So, this is the biggest stage for us as a team, as individuals, and just giving everything we have,” Millora-Brown said.

“It’s about being in the game as you play. I felt that there was a place where I could take advantage of scoring offensively in the first half and in the second half. The team called those plays for me to make and then it was about me going in and doing what the team asked me to do. It’s just about every man stepping up. Whatever the team asks of each individual, we have to do it because that’s how we win,”  he added.

UP has been here before winning Game 1 in the past four finals but the last two editions ended up with heartbreaking runner-up finishes.

Hoping to be UP’s missing piece, Millora-Brown vows to work harder against the bounce-back-seeking La Salle in Game 2 on Wednesday at Mall of Asia Arena.

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“They’re a strong team. They crash really hard. The tension of boxing out every time is tough but it’s something we talked about as a team. We just keep doing it. it’s not just my jobbenz game, it’s everyone’s job to rebound,” he said.

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