On top of a new career-high, Kevin Quiambao fully embraced his role as one of La Salle’s leaders as they averted a collapse against the UST Growling Tigers.
Kevin Quiambao had himself quite the night in La Salle’s escape over the UST Growling Tigers, posting a career-high 29 points in their 94-87 victory on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Quiambao eclipsed his previous career high of 24 points, which he set in Game 3 of the UAAP Season 86 finals against the UP Fighting Maroons to win their first title since 2016. Likewise, it’s also his bounce-back from just a 10-point effort against UE in their Round 2 opener, where he reportedly played through nervous system fatigue.
The reigning MVP was modest about his performance as he deflected the credit to his teammates, God, and his budding family to play his best every time for La Salle.
“Motivation ko siguro is makita ko na masaya ‘yung teammates ko, namo-motivate ako every possession. So ‘yung career-high ko na ‘to, credit sa kanila. Di ko naman makukuha ‘to kundi dahil sa kanila,” Quiambao told reporters in a follow-up chat on Wednesday.
Wednesday’s game was also a perfect showing of Quiambao’s maturity as the Archers were rattled by UST’s 19-6 run to force an extra five minutes. Knowing his role as their leader, the reigning MVP took it upon himself to rally his brothers and close out the Tigers.
“Tulad nga ng sinasabi namin sa isa’t isa, basketball is a game of runs,” Quiambao explained in the post-game press conference. “Noong time na nag-run sila [UST], hindi namin makuha kung ano ‘yung groove namin, lead by example lang siguro…Hindi naman takeover, pakitaan lang namin ng action sa bawa’t isa na maganda na kailangan lang natin sundin ‘yung sistema natin.”
Like the title clincher, Quiambao took charge when they needed it the most, pouring in six of La Salle’s 14 points in overtime. The MVP finished the night on an efficient 10 out of 17 shooting clip built on four triples made in six attempts as they successfully fended off the Tigers.
Quiambao also pulled down nine rebounds, along with three dimes in 32 minutes and 51 seconds of play.
“Wag tayo lilihis [from the system] kasi may mga tendencies kami na pag nag-run ‘yung kalaban, nagkakanya kanya kami. So sinabi ko lang sa team, sinabi lang namin ng mga veterans na ayan lang, laban lang. Value every possession, and then kung ano ‘yung pinapagawa ng coach, gawin lang natin,” Quiambao said.
On top of this, Kevin Quiambao acknowledged the Archers’ lapses which included a season-worst 26 turnovers. As the defending champs, he knows it’s on them to do better in closing out their opponents moving forward.
After all, La Salle already entered the fourth quarter with a nine-point advantage and even led by 20 points against the Tigers. But the UST run happened, wherein the Tigers were a Forthsky Padrigao free throw away from upsetting La Salle in crunch time.
“Hindi namin pwede paabutin sa gaung sitwasyon sa game. Kailangan namin i-value every possession and wag na wag namin hahayaan na masira ‘yung momentum ng team. So it’s a learning curve for us and madami pa kaming pwede matutunan…’Yung game na ‘to is a lesson na wag magpakampante. Laro lang palagi from first quarter to fourth quarter.”
‘Growth mindset’
For his part, La Salle head coach Topex Robinson echoed a familiar sentiment: KQ will win games and lose games for the Archers. It’s part of his role as the team’s main guy, which will inevitably come with mistakes as their lead decision-maker.
Still, Robinson doesn’t really mind as long as Quiambao won’t be playing hero ball. So even with his three turnovers on Wednesday, Robinson acknowledged that it was simply the MVP trying to find his open teammates.
“I’d rather take that kind of turnover coming from this guy rather than from him forcing his shots. It’s part of it, the responsibility,” Robinson said post-game.
Even with his level of play, Robinson lauded Quiambao’s humility as he continued to strive for growth as the Archers’ leader. Perhaps, it’s the very reason why KQ is the reigning MVP, who’s on track to repeat this Season 87.
Whenever his shots aren’t falling, the star forward takes the initiative to impact the game in different ways. Whether it’s pulling down the boards, or making the right passes, rest assured that Kevin Quiambao can and will have his presence felt for the Archers.
“What I like about KQ is he always accepts [his responsibility] and always has a growth mindset approaching those kinds of things. He always asks us ‘Ano pa ba ‘yung dapat kong i-improve?’ which is really nice,” the champion coach said.
Banner Image courtesy of the UAAP Media Bureau.