REIGNING MVP Kevin Quiambao of defending champion La Salle came clean on reports he played for Team Vista Laiya in a league in Sariaya, Quezon last Nov. 2 while the 87th UAAP basketball tournament was ongoing but denied he was paid P200,000.
But the most important thing? The 6-foot-7 forward received the blessing of the school to see action in a tournament outside of the UAAP during the season for his family.
“For my family, ginawa ko iyon pero iyong ganoong kalaking halaga, hindi totoo iyon. Never, never,” Quiambao said. “Kasi, hindi naman ako tumatanggap ng ganoong kalaki dahil iyon nga utang na loob ko iyon doon sa Vista Laiya na pinaglaruan ko dahil malapit sila sa akin.
“Taga-Las Piñas sila, malapit iyong Las Piñas sa Alabang so simula nu’ng bata ako kumbaga inalagaan na nila ako,” he added.
Quiambao spoke after the Green Archers hacked out a 77-66 victory over the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons last Sunday night and clinched the top seed in the Final Four.
The league adapted a provision in 2021 that does not prohibit players from moonlighting in unsanctioned leagues.
“Except as provided in this Amateur Status Rule, there shall be no prohibition for any student-athlete and/or sports team of any Member University from simultaneously participating in other tournaments or leagues while participating in the UAAP,” the excerpt from the UAAP rule book said.
Quiambao, who has a new-born son, said La Salle only wants him to be cautious in his extra gigs.
“Lahat, lahat ng galaw ko ipinapaalam ko sa management namin. Kay coach Topex (Robinson), sa lahat ng coaching staff. Then, may basbas naman sila na, iyon, ingatan mo lang sarili mo,” Quiambao said. “Kasi, rule No. 1 namin sa team, use your judgment.
“Kumbaga, kung ano iyong gusto mong gawin sa buhay, gawin mo lang basta, iyong team nakasalalay sa lahat ng gagawin mo.”
Quiambao notched 15 points and five rebounds for the Taft-based cagers, who rose to 12-1.
The Gilas Pilipinas national team training pool member has this to say to naysayers and unbelievers.
“Hindi naman natin mako-kontrol kung ano iyong mga masasabi nila, iyong emotions nila sa akin, but ang kontrolado ko lang is kung ano iyong puwede kong gawin. Kumbaga, ano lang naman iyan, keyboard warrior lang iyan,” he said. “Wala naman akong mapapala diyan. Wala akong matututunan diyan.
“Pero, iyon nga, once na nakikita ko iyong comments nila added motivation din iyan na kailangan ko pang, ano, kailangan ko pang mag-strive for more. Then, iyon na, iyong result na lang ang bahala sa kanila.”
So, is there trouble in paradise? Not so fast.
