August 20, 2025 | 12:00am
Quentin Millora-Brown’s recognition as native by FIBA couldn’t have come at a greater time. It’s a 3 1/2 month wait earlier than Gilas’ subsequent journey on the FIBA World Cup Asia qualifiers in November so coach Tim Cone may use the break to introduce QMB to his system.
Whereas QMB’s attorneys are credited with getting the job completed, it was SBP that initiated the transfer. QMB introduced out a green-cover Philippine passport that was issued earlier than he was 16 however because it was by no means used and had no stamp, the Division of Overseas Affairs couldn’t conclusively authenticate the doc. That was why FIBA initially licensed QMB not as native however as naturalized. However different paperwork affirming the passport’s authenticity and showcasing QMB’s involvement with SBP in selling basketball have been later submitted to FIBA and in the long run, he was granted an exception to play as native. The identical exception had been given to Greg Slaughter and Chris Newsome. A standard denominator with the three was they performed faculty basketball within the Philippines.
It seems that FIBA appears kindly to foreign-born gamers who attended college within the nations they select to characterize. Within the Philippine state of affairs, it’s a bonus in the event that they’re of Filipino heritage. Years of residence may additionally be an element however in QMB’s case, it didn’t weigh closely as he performed solely a yr with UP. Like Newsome, QMB has Filipino blood.
There are 9 Fil-foreigners who have been born overseas, performed faculty ball within the Philippines and are actually engaged within the PBA. They, too, may very well be labeled as native like QMB. Jason Perkins, 32, is a case which may be introduced as much as FIBA by SBP. He was born in Minnesota, performed for La Salle and has lived right here since 2013. Perkins is married to a Filipina with two youngsters and was on the Philippines’ 3x3 staff that received gold on the 2019 SEA Video games the place not like FIBA, eligibility relies solely on a passport no matter when it was issued. He’s performed for Phoenix within the PBA the final seven years. Absolutely, Perkins qualifies as native.
Others are 6-8 Kai Ballungay of Ateneo, 23, 6-8 Brandon Bates of La Salle, 29, 6-1 Alec Stockton of FEU, 27, 6-2 James Kwekuteye of San Beda, 27, 6-10 James Laput of La Salle, 29, 6-6 Zavier Lucero of UP, 26, 6-4 Tony Semerad of San Beda, 34, and 6-9 Henry Galinato of UP, 27. In comparison with California-born Brandon Jawato who was labeled as native due to ethnicity regardless of claiming his Indonesian passport at 27 with out enjoying faculty ball in Indonesia, there may be extra foundation for the 9 Fil-foreigners to be acknowledged as locals.
