Basketball

After Storied UAAP Career, Kevin Quiambao Officially Takes His Act To Korea

By RJ Ballecer - December 16, 2024

Kevin Quiambao’s UAAP stint officially comes to a close as he heads to the Korean Basketball League to begin the next chapter of his basketball career.

Kevin Quiambao’s storied UAAP career has officially come to an end after three productive seasons and one championship run with the De La Salle Green Archers.

Less than 24 hours after DLSU’s finals Game 3 loss to UP, Quiambao confirmed that he will be turning professional to join the Goyang Sono Skygunners in the Korean Basketball League (KBL).

“I will pursue my NBA dream and start my journey by playing professionally in Goyang Sono Skygunners, and developing my game even more,” Quiambao wrote on his Facebook page on Monday morning.

Reports previously hinted that KQ will be joining the Skygunners at the end of Season 87, which the two-time UAAP MVP refuted with his need to rest after juggling commitments for his young family, Gilas Pilipinas, and the Archers. 

But with his official confirmation, Quiambao paid tribute to the people who shaped him into one of Philippine basketball’s brightest stars. 

“To [the] Lasallian community, OSD, thank you for three wonderful seasons [which included] a lot of sweat, tears, and sacrifices. Thank you for making me a great student athlete…first of all, thank you God and my whole family,” Quiambao wrote as he also thanked the Archers’ top brass. 

Kevin Quiambao after his final game with the DLSU Green Archers before heading to Korea
Kevin Quiambao after his final UAAP game with the La Salle Green Archers before heading to Korea. (Photo Credit: UAAP Media Bureau)

Quiambao is expected to boost the cellar-dwelling Skygunners who hold a 5-13 record as of writing, while joining former Nazareth School-NU teammate Carl Tamayo and ex-Ateneo playmaker SJ Belangel over in Korea.

“Coach Topex [Robinson] and Coach Migs Aytona [DLSU’s strength and conditioning coach], I love you and thank you and thank you for unleashing KQ. To my teammates and the whole coaching staff and management, I can’t thank you enough for unwavering support, thank you for believing in me and pushing me to reach my potential. I am so grateful and blessed to have you guys,” the Muntinlupa native wrote.

In three seasons played with DLSU, Kevin Quiambao had his share of laurels that started with a rookie of the year plum in Season 85, which was followed by a championship and Finals MVP in Season 86. KQ also became the first local to cop back-to-back regular season MVPs in Seasons 86 and 87 following Kiefer Ravena in Seasons 77 (2014) and 78 (2015).

But despite his departure, the King Archer remains confident in DLSU’s capability to bounce back come Season 88. On top of getting fueled by heartbreak, the Archers are expected to field top redshirts like Mason Amos, Jacob Cortez, and Kean Baclaan for their redemption tour. 

“I’m proud of all my teammates, ‘yung hardwork na ginawa nila since day one. Grabe kasi sobrang dami naming pinagsamahan throughout the offseason, the whole season, basta mahal ko silang lahat,” Quiambao said on Sunday night after the Archers conceded the UAAP title to UP. 

“Excited ako kasi andyan na sina Kean Baclaan, Jacob Cortez, Luis Pablo, Mason [Amos]…For sure they will be scary next year.” 

Banner image taken by Kieran Punay of KLIQ Inc.

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