UAAP: Refusing to lose, Kevin Quiambao carries La Salle on his back

MANILA, Philippines–With the game on the line, Kevin Quiambao took matters into his own hands to tow defending champion La Salle past National University in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament on Sunday night.

The reigning UAAP MVP played true to form, scoring nine of the Green Archers’ final 14 points to finish with 22 points on top of eight rebounds and seven assists.

Quiambao said his clutch performance, capped by a go-ahead triple with 9.8 ticks to go, was a product of his determination to lead by example.

READ: La Salle’s Topex Robinson says new eligibility rules ‘unfair’

“Laging ngang sinasabi ni coach, teachers lang sila. Bahala kayo. May freedom kayo gawin kung ano yung gusto niyo,” said Quiambao following La Salle’s thrilling 78-75 victory.

“As one of the veterans na nga dito sa team, kailangan ko lang ipakita na ayoko magpatalo. In-encourage ko sila na kaya natin ito. Hindi pa tapos ito. Kailangan natin gawin kung ano yung dapat gawin natin. Good thing na umayon yung sitwasyon sa amin.”

“Pinaghandaan talaga namin itong mga moment na dito. Dahil alam namin na lahat ng team, grind out kami everyday,” he added.

Quiambao, who was also the Finals MVP during the Archers’ championship run in Season 86, led La Salle’s furious fightback after being down by seven midway through the final frame.

“Noong nakita kong tumama sa screen si Steve Nash. So, may one or two seconds ako na tinignan ko yung ring at tinignan ko kung ano yung gagawin ng depensa,” said Quiambao. “Hindi nag-help yung corner guy, so, tinake advantage ko na. Nalibre ako. Good thing nga pumasok yung tira.”

READ: Kevin Quiambao is Gilas Pilipinas’ ‘future’–Tim Cone

The versatile big man said his confidence was built through hard work, allowing him to lead the Green Archers. in a scrappy duel with the Bulldogs.

“Yung confidence naman is nagmumula sa ensayo. Kung ano yung tinitira mo games, yun yung lagi mo ginagawa everyday sa practice. So yung instincts lang na pay off each other at kailangan may nagte-takeover dahil nga struggle kami buong game,” Quiambao said. “Nag-live by example lang ako sa mga kakampi ko at pinakita ko lang kung ano yung brand ng basketball namin. Good thing naman, nagki-click kami sa depensa sa last 3 minutes and then yun nga, nakuha namin yung panalo.“

Like last season when they ruled the league, La Salle coach Topex Robinson said the Green Archers have their full trust in Quiambao especially in clutch situations.

“That’s the beauty of having him. Those last few possessions of the game wherein he’s gonna make the right decision,” Robinson said. “The fact that he had five turnovers was just evident of the freedom that he has. Sisisihin ko rin naman siya kahit anong nangyari, so, he took the better route which is not only getting himself open but getting his teammates open.”

After being pushed to their limits in their season opener, Robinson and Quiambao believe that their remaining games will be as tough as their first, anticipating another challenge against Adamson on Wednesday.