Tim Cone says RJ Abarrientos and Quentin Millora-Brown are “exactly what Gilas needs” for the Guam window

Choosing the Final 12 for any FIBA window is rarely simple, but for Tim Cone, this one hinged on something beyond raw skill — it was about who blended seamlessly into what Gilas needed right now. And in that equation, RJ Abarrientos and Quentin Millora-Brown became the missing pieces that aligned perfectly.

The two newcomers weren’t just surprise picks — they symbolized two things Cone values most: system mastery and basketball intelligence.

Abarrientos and Juan Gomez de Liaño both impressed throughout camp, but Cone was clear about why the former got the nod.

“The two (RJ and Juan GDL) of them both played extremely well, but RJ knows the system a little bit more, and he was with us the last window in terms of the whole practice,” said Cone.

 “So he was a little bit ahead in terms of knowledge. So we pick RJ.”

In a system as intricate as the triangle — where timing, spacing, and decision-making trump athleticism — Abarrientos’ prior exposure became a valuable currency. He didn’t just play well; he played within the structure. 

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Gilas Pilipinas aim for an all-out start as they face Guam for their first game in the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qualifiers Window 1 this November 28, Friday at 5:00 p.m.!

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His familiarity allowed Gilas to confidently slot him in as the third guard behind Scottie Thompson and Chris Newsome — a role that demands someone who steadies the offense rather than disrupts its rhythm.

If Abarrientos earned his spot through understanding, Quentin Millora-Brown secured his through a rare blend of effort, instincts, and IQ that immediately captured Cone’s attention.

“I’m just amazed by Q with how he picked things up and how smart he’s been. Not just play with the ability and size, but plays with a lot of intelligence, and that’s what really impressed us,” Cone shared.

In a pool stacked with frontcourt talent, Millora-Brown separated himself by filling the exact positional gap Gilas needed: a reliable backup five who rebounds, battles, and makes smart reads.

Cone emphasized it again and again — the IQ, the learning curve, the rebounding.

“He just plays with that kind of effort and he has a nose for the ball. He’s big and he’s athletic. He can surprise you with some of the things he does.”

For Cone, basketball intelligence is a non-negotiable trait, and Millora-Brown displayed it from day one.

While cuts like Juan GDL, Jamie Malonzo, and Troy Rosario raised eyebrows, Cone framed the decision as one rooted in positional need and timing.

“These guys will be going to help us and to really enhance important positions — the back-up five and the power forward position and the point guard position,” he said.

Abarrientos and Millora-Brown didn’t just make the team — they filled the structural gaps the system required, giving Gilas reliability in roles that matter deeply in a short FIBA window.

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