Reigning UAAP MVP has enough energy for the DLSU Green Archers, national team, and then some.
Kevin Quiambao is one busy man.
Apart from leading the DLSU Green Archers in their quest for back-to-back titles in UAAP Season 87, he is also headed for his latest tour of duty with the Gilas Pilipinas in the upcoming window of the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers slated this week.
As the centerpiece of La Salle’s title defense, Quiambao has had to work hard each and every game, and with the Final Four looming early next month, it’ll only get harder for the third-year player.
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But as he takes on the challenge of representing the Philippines during the UAAP’s short FIBA break, there is one thing he puts his faith in amid his busy schedule: his conditioning.
Working well with the strength and conditioning staff of La Salle, Quiambao has hardly missed a beat neither with La Salle, Gilas, or even his extra curricular “ligang labas” stints. Owing much of his success to those behind the scenes, Quiambao wasn’t amiss with his gratitude.
“['Yung] credit doon [ay kay] coach Migs Aytona, 'yung strength and conditioning coach namin. Alam niya kasi kung anong load sa katawan ko, kung mag-unload ako, yung factor ng recovery, alam niya lahat.” Quiambao said before joining Gilas Pilipinas in their training bubble this week.
“Tiwala lang ako sa system niya. Lagi ko lang sinusunod kung anong gusto niya.”
After 14 games in the UAAP, Quiambao is expected to go back-to-back as MVP in the men’s tournament, and as much as he also deflects credit to his coaches, he also underscored the need to listen to his body.
“If nafi-feel ko na medyo napapagod, ako nagsasabi naman ako sa [coaches]. So, 'yun, two-way street kaming dalawa ni coach.” he said.
But when you’re performing as well as Quiambao has been, it’s not always just about the physical preparation.
Perhaps as important, if not more, is Quiambao’s preparation on the mental side as well, which includes having to block out the noise. With all the attention on him with the UAAP and Gilas, Quiambao also makes sure to filter out the unhelpful buzz around him.
Focused on himself and on his teammates, Quiambao isn’t minding any other opinions about how he plays his game.
“Hindi naman natin mako-control kung ano 'yung mga masasabi nila, 'yung emotions nila sa akin. But, ang kontrolado ko lang is kung ano 'yung pwede kong gawin. Kumbaga keyboard warrior lang 'yan eh, wala akong mapapala dyan, wala akong matututunan d'yan.” said Quiambao.
“Once na makikita mga comments nila, added motivation din 'yun na, kailangan ko pang mag-strive for more… And then, ayun na, 'yung resulta na lang, bahala sa kanila.” he added.
Quiambao is expected to return to the hardcourt for Gilas Pilipinas when they open their two-game homestand against New Zealand on Thursday, November 21, at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.