Kevin Quiambao might have just gotten his biggest blessing in life after welcoming his first child.
Reigning UAAP MVP Kevin Quiambao officially became a father to a healthy baby boy the night before La Salle’s Wednesday afternoon clash against the FEU Tamaraws.
Spending the whole night at the Asian Hospital and Medical Center, he witnessed his precious son’s birth — now a core memory Quiambao will forever cherish. Perhaps, it’s just as memorable, or even more so than winning his first UAAP title last Season 86.
“Surreal feeling,” Quiambao said of his son’s birth. “Halos hindi ako pinatulog, to be honest. Hindi ko ma-explain, sobrang saya ko and then ayun worth it lahat ng pinagpuyatan ko kasi coming to this game, wala akong tulog.”
“So, babawi ako ng tulog…and then, sobrang thank you kay Lord na binigyan niya ako ng ganitong opportunity na kumbaga, bagong tahakin,” the star forward told reporters.
Indeed, Quiambao’s sleepless night paid off, with La Salle winning 68-62 over the Tamaraws in a fairly close contest. KQ himself flirted with a triple-double after notching 12 points, 11 rebounds, and eight assists in 30 minutes of play as he flexed his all-around chops throughout the contest.
Simply put, it was the perfect start to Quiambao’s time as a dad.
“It’s a blessing. Sobrang blessed ko lang sa puntong ‘to na nakapaglaro ako ng highest level, and i-embrace ko lang yung bagong journey na tatahakin ko. Focus ako sa season, then focus ako sa pag–aalaga sa bata,” he said.
Though KQ isn’t naive about the upcoming challenges, knowing that his time will now be split between raising a young family and meeting the demands of being a Lasallian (star) student-athlete.
“Mahirap na i-balance ‘yung oras. I will try my best na makapag-focus sa dalawang aspect, sa basketball aspect and then sa life aspect. Nan diyan naman yung coaches na binibygan nila ako ng freedom kung ano yung gusto kong gawin. ‘Pag may kailangan sa bahay, hindi nila ako pinagpa-practice,” the MVP shared.
It also helps that La Salle head coach Topex Robinson is a father himself, and has given Quiambao invaluable advice and reassurance: “Every time, every game, every day, every practice, lagi niya [Topex] ako ina-advice na enjoyin mo ‘yan and then embrace mo ‘yung bagong journey mo.
“Nandiyan lang siya palagi para sa’kin. Lagi niya akong sinasabihan na hinding hindi niya ako iiwan kahit anong mangyari,” Quiambao shared.
Without question, balancing fatherhood and basketball will be a challenging task for Kevin Quiambao. Yet we’ve already seen his discipline and determination toward basketball, the very sport that he’s loved, and has loved him back.
So what more for his son and young family? Sure, there will be more sleepless nights, maybe even some missed practices or games, but if his history as an Archer has been any indication, KQ will likely find the balance between fatherhood and basketball in due time.
“Added motivation para sa’kin. Ang pinaka-inspiration ko naman si God and then ‘yun, baby. Sobrang saya ko…and then, dadalhin ko lang yung motivation na ‘yan, paano ako makatulong sa team namin sa mga upcoming games ko,” he said.
Chance to step up
Meanwhile, Robinson bared that La Salle has long prepared for life without Kevin Quiambao given this very situation. He was the first to admit that the star will be “in and out” of the La Salle camp, and will inevitably miss practices and games for the Green Archers.
Along with being a dad, Quiambao will also return to Gilas Pilipinas this November for the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers. More likely than not, it’s another factor for KQ to set aside his UAAP-based commitments.
“And that’s why we always say that KQ is just a part of us, but he’s not the whole of us. So we’re always going to have guys that are going to step up and guys that are just waiting for that opportunity in case we have KQ in and out,” Robinson said post-game.
“And I guess we just try to support and protect each other. And again, having that common goal is always going to be important.”
For his part, Mike Phillips lauded Quiambao’s work ethic on and off the court, which has allowed the pair to have a special bond together. The pair are also devout Catholics, further deepening their brotherhood as the defending champs’ senior leaders.
“And you see, despite everything that’s happening to him, everything that he’s going through, both good and bad, you see on his Facebook and even what he was wearing today, he kind of gives that glory to God,” Phillips said, referring to Quiambao’s post-game shirt with a cross on it.
Rest assured that Motor Mike will be there for KQ as he navigates life as a first-time father, just as KQ is there to support him whenever they uphold Lasallian pride on the UAAP court.
“And so for me, it’s just trying to help support him any way I can. You see him every time I have a mistake on the court, he’s the first one there to pick me back up. And coming from a guy like that means a lot to me. And so me and him are really, really bonded together. And I’m just really enjoying my time with him and also learning a lot from him as well,” the big man said.
Banner image courtesy of the UAAP Media Bureau.