WHEN in doubt, we put our trust in Kevin Quiambao. That has been the most effective mantra for the De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers in UAAP Season 87, as he has been consistently leading the squad.
Quiambao scored a career-high 29 points on Wednesday, along with nine rebounds, three assists, and a steal against the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigers, guiding them to a 94-87 overtime victory.
Despite this, the reigning UAAP Most Valuable Player continues to downplay his spectacular performance, remaining humble and saying that he and his Green Archer teammates still have more work to do.
The goal is to win
Quiambao, dubbed the “King Archer” of this age, has been a humble member of the Taft community, merely claiming his success, but also offering credit to everyone who has supported him throughout the season.
“First of all, ‘yung Diyos, si God, then ‘yung newborn baby ko, and yung girlfriend ko ‘yung motivation ko,” said the Gilas Pilipinas forward to several reporters following their game against UST.
Photo Courtesy: UAAP Media Group
Despite his numerous accolades, he continues to applaud his fellow Green Archers for his achievement, stating that it was them who made his personal record-breaking journey possible.
“Yung motivation rin is makita ko na masaya yung mga teammates ko, na ma-motivate ako every possession dahil dun,” said Quiambao. “Credit sa kanilang lahat. Hindi ko naman makukuha ‘to kung hindi dahil sa kanila.”
Quiambao’s approach entering each game he plays is not just focused on improving himself and his team, but also on winning. Nonetheless, he simply lets the game come to him and does not force things to go his way.
“Ang mahalaga naman, nakuha namin yung panalo. Nag-career-high ka nga, natalo naman kayo, wala rin. Lagi ko iniisip na gusto ko manalo para sa team. Yung pansariling achievement, kusang darating yan,” he said.
Long way to go
Despite racking up wins since their heartbreaking loss to UE, the 6-foot-6 all-around forward believes La Salle still has a long way to go before they can compete at the highest levels this season.
“As a leader, pag nagkakamali ako, kung ano yung pinapakita ko sa team, kung down yung morale ko, down sila. So pag nagkakamali ako, sinasabi ko lang na mali ko yun, next play tayo. Wag nating pilitin nang pilitin,” he explained.
“Yung mga sa mistakes naman, yun naman yung pina-practice namin. Yung mga turnovers, yung mga unforced turnovers, marami lang kaming iniisip sa game, pero hinahayaan kami ni coach.”
“Kailangan lang naming i-value ang bawat possession and yung mga lapses na yun, nawo-work on sa practice. ‘Di naman siya lapses na ‘di mo na pwede mabalik,” he added.
Photo Courtesy: UAAP Media Group
Being the top seed doesn’t provide the Green Archers with an easy route, but it does tighten the rivalry with each encounter. Given the idea, Quiambao stressed that he and his peers could not afford to take their foot off the gas.
“I think ‘yung lesson na nakuha namin is kailangan namin takbuhin ‘yung sistema namin from first to fourth kasi hindi naman natatapos ‘yung game ng third quarter eh,” he added.
Meanwhile, DLSU will try to continue their winning streak when they meet the Adamson University Soaring Falcons on Saturday at 3:30 PM at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
