KEVIN QUIAMBAO of the De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers urges the squad to continue to be hungry for more after becoming the first team in the UAAP Season 87 Men’s Basketball Tournament to reach the Final Four.
The Green Archers officially secured their berth in the Final Four with a 25-point victory over Adamson University at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion, with Quiambao leading DLSU to their ninth victory.
Despite being one step closer to the goal of defending their title and potentially winning back-to-back titles, Quiambao is keen on not letting this get to their head and to approach the rest of the season one game at a time.
Team first
Recognizing the importance he brings to every game, the 6-foot-6 Gilas Pilipinas player understands that every opponent’s attention is focused to him, requiring him to figure out approaches to be effective without scoring.
“I need to involve my teammates more. Naka focus yung depensa sa akin every game, so I should find better ways to help my team in all aspects,” said Quiambao after their win against Adamson.
However, this plan does not include improving his 17.1 points, 8.3 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and steal rate per game. This is a means for him to improve his colleagues’ performance as the semifinals approach.
“Wala akong personal goals. Team achievement lang talaga yung focus ko. Willing din kaming lahat pagtrabahuhan yon, dumaan sa proseso, at sa mga hardships para doon,” he added.
Quiambao even downplays media suggestions that he is the King Archer, or the main guy of the Green Archers, saying, “Hindi lang rin naman ako yung main guy dito, lahat kami main guy dito.”
Green Archers are on the same page
Now that the Green Archers, along with the rest of the UAAP men’s basketball teams, have entered the second round, Quiambao has one less concern because his team is on the same page.
“Pre-season pa lang naman na in-instill na sa amin ni Coach Topex na ano man ang mangyari, kung nasaan man kami eh we must remain humble and hungry,” shared Quiambao.
“Yung system and culture naman namin, we treat each game as a championship game. So as a leader, ike-keep in-check ko lang sila na ‘di pwedeng mawala sa focus and ‘yung proseso, ‘wag dapat i-skip ‘yung proseso.”
Meanwhile, the UAAP has cancelled today’s Men’s Football Tournament games at the UP Diliman Football Stadium due to severe tropical storm Kristine, which will be rescheduled for Sunday.
It may have started with a game between the University of the Philippines and De La Salle University at 4:00PM, followed by a matchup between the University of the East and Ateneo de Manila University at 6:30PM.
While the UAAP is on hold due to inclement weather, and the class suspensions around Metro Manila, the DLSU Green Archers will aim to use this opportunity to sharpen their arrows for a tougher postseason push.
