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Amid adversities, allegations, and an assortment of events in between, La Salle grinds ahead in its UAAP men’s basketball title defense as reigning MVP Kevin Quiambao stays fully locked in
MANILA, Philippines – No days off. No rest for the weary. No excuses.
La Salle has experienced it all in its UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball title defense bid: adversities, allegations, and an assortment of events in between, but the journey is far, far from over as the eliminations’ second round beckons on Saturday, October 12.
Thankfully for the Green Archers, they are still led by one of the hardest-working players on the planet and, unsurprisingly enough, the Philippines’ best collegiate star in reigning league MVP Kevin Quiambao.
Making the most of what he has repeatedly recognized as a once in a lifetime opportunity, the Gilas Pilipinas prospect is soaking in every moment he has with his on-court brothers, good or bad, and meticulously learning from each one.
“We’ve told ourselves that pressure is a privilege. We have to protect our inner circle from the outside noise,” Quiambao said in Filipino after a heated 68-56 rout over last year’s finals foe UP.
“Ever since we lost in a wake-up call to UE, we just stuck to our system, while I sacrificed to better my role as a veteran. I know I don’t need to always score. I have to involve my teammates. Since our latest adjustments, we’ve only had good things happen to us.”
Although still the league’s leading scorer with a 16.4 points per game average, Quiambao has done all he can to share the wealth around, also clocking in as the third-leading dimer with norms of 5.4 assists.
Largely thanks to Quiambao’s and fellow veteran Mike Phillips’ gargantuan efforts, La Salle currently tops the league in averaged points (75.6), rebounds (50.7), assists (21.1), steals (8.1), second chance points (13.5), and is at least top three in many other facets of the game.
This, despite no longer having graduated floor general Evan Nelle in their ranks, while also not yet enjoying the services of redshirting star recruits Jacob Cortez, Kean Baclaan, and Mason Amos.
The burden remains sky-high for Quiambao to deliver with sort of a stripped-down roster, but as he has established through the years, pressure is nothing but an old friend he has known all too well.
“I think if I’m pressured, I just keep working on what I still lack, what I still mess up on, then adjust and learn,” Quiambao continued. “It’s a good thing we are a 16-man team and every one of my teammates is there for me, and all of my coaches are there to ease my pressure as they tell me to lead by example.”
Aptly enough, La Salle’s second-round challenge begins Saturday with the first team to give the Archers a brush with mortality: the UE Red Warriors, now boasting a league-high five-game winning streak sparked at the defending champions’ expense.
Quiambao, however, remains ready for anything, as he always has been.
“We are a united front. We won’t leave one another no matter what happens, win or lose,” he said. – Rappler.com
