REIGNING UAAP MVP Kevin Quiambao is convinced his Gilas Pilipinas stint in the second window of the FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers will serve him in good stead when he leads defending champion La Salle in the Final Four of the 87th basketball tournament.
Quiambao’s patience was rewarded with an opportunity to showcase his talent in front of the home crowd.
After sitting out the Nationals’ duel with New Zealand last Thursday, the 6-foot-7 Quiambao finally got an opportunity to prove his worth in the team’s 93-54 whipping of Hong Kong last Sunday.
Quiambao had eight points, five rebounds, and four assists to help the Philippine squad sweep Group B of the second round.
Quiambao shared how Gilas assistant coach LA Tenorio had motivated him despite not playing in the New Zealand tiff.
“Iyon nga, stay ready lang ako palagi. Darating opportunity na iyan. Hindi mo alam kung kailan darating pero stay ready lang palagi,” Quiambao said.
“Hindi naman ako nanghihinayan. Nakuha naman natin iyong panalo and then historical naman iyong win pero iyon nga, as a young player, as baguhan dito sa Gilas tanggap ko naman iyong role ko,” he added.
Quiambao, 23, sad after being sidelined in the New Zealand showdown, moved on and went straight to training as he wanted to be all set when the chance arrived.
“I think ano lang, passion lang siguro talaga dahil ayun nga once na ma-call, dumating iyong opportunity, iyon kailangan maging ready ako. Iyon, dumating nga ngayong laro na ito (against the Chinese). So, after noong laro sa New Zealand iyon na nag-move on na ako, nakatulong naman ako sa bench kahit hindi ako nakakuha ng minute,” Quiambao said.
The No. 1 and twice-to-beat Green Archers await their foes in the Final Four, either the University of the East Red Warriors or the Adamson Soaring Falcons who are set for battle tomorrow at the Mall of Asia Arena for the last semifinals slot.
“I think sobrang laking boost nito para sa akin dahil isa ako sa mga leaders sa La Salle so itong experience na to dadalhin, maipapayo ko sa mga teammates ko sa La Salle and then iyong nga, hindi dito natatapos ang lahat, kailangan ko pang magtrabaho,” he said.
