B.League: AJ Edu, Quentin Millora-Brown driven by title ambitions

Gunma Crane Thunders’ AJ Edu during a game in the Japan B.League. –CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—As the last two Filipino imports left in the Japan B.League Championship round, Chiba Jets’ Quentin Millora-Brown and Gunma Crane Thunders’ AJ Edu share the same goal, but also have different motivations.

For AJ Edu, it’s about giving his best every time he’s on the floor.

READ: B.League: AJ Edu’s Gunma clashes with QMB’s Chiba in quarterfinals

“I just want to give my best effort,” said the Gilas Pilipinas big man. “The outcome can sometimes be out of our control but I want to make sure that my performance on the court is a hundred percent.”

Millora-Brown, meanwhile, is driven by a more personal mission—to help send off team veteran Fumio Nishimura on a high note in his final season.

“Everyone wants to win and we’re all doing whatever it takes to find ways to win. It’s Fumi’s (Fumio Nishimura) last season playing so we all want to make sure we go out on a really high note for him,” said the State U product.

“Coming in late to the team they really welcomed me with open arms,” Millora-Brown also said. “I thought we’ve done really well in trying to build something great.”

The Gilas Pilipinas standouts, though, both have their sights set on a title run.

“The goal is obviously to win the playoffs and win a championship,” said Edu.

Their paths, however, collide earlier than expected. Chiba and Gunma face off in the quarterfinals, with the Jets holding home-court advantage in the best-of-three series. Game 1 is set Saturday at LaLa Arena TOKYO-BAY.