This time last year, the UP Fighting Maroons were reeling. 

Not only did they lose the UAAP Season 86 Finals to the DLSU Green Archers via a reverse sweep, but they were also facing some uncertainty heading into the offseason. 

Talented as they were, they were losing an MVP in Malick Diouf, a playmaker in CJ Cansino, and were unsure if JD Cagulangan would play out his final year with the team. Luis Pablo and Cyril Gonzales also left for La Salle and Mapua University, respectively. 

As the months went by, the Fighting Maroons’ roster took shape. Cagulangan was set to play his last year. Rey Remogat, who will likely take on Cagulangan’s role, joined UP and began his residency. Gani Stevens, Dikachi Udodo, and Denzil Walker completed their transfer requirements and were set to beef up the roster. Jacob Bayla, a sought-after recruit, chose to suit up for the Fighting Maroons. 

It was their final addition, though, that has proven to be the most crucial. 

Quentin Millora-Brown was a late addition that the announcement of him joining UP was a quick one that gathered steam later on. He was slated to be a one-and-done player, but his body of work in the US NCAA indicated he could do more in a few months than other players could offer in five years. 

The elimination round of Season 87 saw Millora-Brown average 8.6 points (on 57.7 percent field goal shooting), 9.5 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks, and he was instrumental to the Fighting Maroons advancing to its fourth straight UAAP Finals appearance with a nine-point, 19-rebound, three-assist, and four-block performance against the UST Growling Tigers. 

However, Millora-Brown would play a bigger rolel in the finals, where he led a frontcourt that had something to prove against the Green Archers. 

Game 1 initially felt like a race between two teams looking to get out of their respective slumps. La Salle seemed to be in control for much of the first half, but UP did not go down without a fight. The Fighting Maroons continued to stay within striking distance and Millora-Brown was at the forefront of that effort. 

His team-high 17 points were critical as they came off patient moves in the post and hard-fought offensive rebounds, but it was his efforts in the other aspects of the game that deserve credit as well. Millora-Brown always knew where to be on the floor and set the screens that got the likes of Cagulangan and Harold Alarcon open. The 24-year old also took charge inside and set the tone defensively, aiding in the endeavor of stopping presumptive back-to-back MVP Kevin Quiambao. All of that contributed to a strong second half that allowed UP to come away with a 73-65 victory that has them on the brink of a second UAAP championship in four seasons. 

Game 2 will require the same from Millora-Brown, and his effort in everything else aside from scoring will be needed. Prior to his arrival, the Fighting Maroons were seemingly at a disadvantage considering how Quiambao and his teammates could handle the rest of the UP’s frontcourt. However, Millora-Brown knows how to position himself and his experience makes him a smarter player on most possessions. 

It’s been said that hard work beats talent and Quentin Millora-Brown’s efforts in Game 1 of the UAAP Season 87 Finals are a prime example of such. Of course, this series isn’t over just yet and the UP Fighting Maroons likely remember winning the first game carries no guarantees. But we could see a quick ending if Millora-Brown puts his head down and goes to work once again.