Quiambao looking to cap splendid season with UAAP crown

Newly-crowned UAAP Season 86 Most Valuable Player Kevin Quiambao is looking to cap a historic sophomore year with a championship title when De La Salle tackles University of the Philippines in the winner-take-all Game 3 of their best-ofthree finals clash on Wednesday, Dec. 6, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. The 6-foot-5 forward may be nowhere near his usual impressive numbers that propelled him as the league’s best individual performer, but

Quiambao remained a reliable presence with nine points and 13 rebounds and a plus/minus +23 in the Green Archers’ 80-62 Game 2 win that tied the series.

In Game 1, Quiambao was held to only 11 points and a plus/minus of -22 as La Salle succumbed to a lopsided 97-67 defeat, which was its biggest losing margin all through the season and something that he personally used as a driving force to help dragged UP into an extended series.

“I think ‘yung gigil factor medyo meron pa rin. As much as gusto ko ng kalimutan ‘yung nangyari sa amin nung Game 1, medyo pumapasok pa rin sa isip ko. So, sinabi ko lang sa sarili ko na kailangan ko lang trabahuhin every possession and then find a way kung paano ako magiging effective sa game,” said Quiambao.

Following the ceremony that saw Quiambao receive the MVP and Mythical Five recognition including a sweep of the special awards, the 22-year-old chose to set aside his ego and come off the bench 3:27 into the first quarter with La Salle trailing UP, 12-2.

“We wanted to make sure that we have at least a backup with our starters. Whatever happens, we have somebody who’s gonna come off the bench and provide for us. And KQ was ready for the challenge because sabi niya nga kung ano ‘yung gusto namin na coaching staff, susunod lang din siya,” La Salle head coach Topex Robinson explained.

Quiambao, for his part, was happy to formally be named the season’s best but added that the team’s sake always thumps any individual accolades.