Quiambao: ‘I’m ready to play for Gilas anytime’
KEVIN Quiambao is easily the best collegiate basketball player and one of the best in all of Philippine basketball today.
It’s easy to assume that a player of his caliber has been receiving offers to play professionally especially abroad.
Quiambao, amid all of that, expressed his commitment to make himself available and to finish the four-year Gilas Pilipinas program he is currently a part of.
“I’m taking advantage of every opportunity. I’m ready to play all these upcoming four years with Gilas,” said the reigning UAAP Most Valuable Player from La Salle, who’s one of the 12 players that will play for Gilas until 2027.
“I’m ready to play for Gilas anytime. Whatever coach Tim [Cone] wants me to do, I’ll be ready when he calls me up,” added the 6-foot6 cager, whose Gilas trains for the 1st window of the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers.
Gilas opens the window at the road against Hong Kong on February 22 and closes it at home against Taiwan on the 25th.
Quiambao and the rest of the Philippine basketball team had an open practice on Monday, February 19, at the PhilSports Arena, where they answered questions from the media during a press conference that preceded their training.
The 22-year-old Quiambao, who recently had a stint with the Strong Group Athletics in a Dubai international tourney, shared the piece of advice that Gilas veterans like Japeth Aguilar and June Mar Fajardo were giving him during their practices.
“The veterans have been telling us to not waste the opportunity that we have now. They tell us to do our role and do whatever you can to help the team whether in points or rounds, just do it. Be a star in your role.”