Reigning MVP Kevin Quiambao tells his fellow Green Archers to be ready to step up as defenses collapse on himself.
Reigning MVP Kevin Quiambao motivated his DLSU teammates to keep their confidence up in games as defenses continue to zero in on him more and more.
During their rivalry showdown against the Ateneo Blue Eagles Sunday in round 1 of UAAP Season 87, it was apparent from the start that the latter’s game plan was to limit Quiambao’s production as they came at the Green Archers with a box and one defense centered around the athletic winger.
Now having to find other opportunities to score apart from taking the shots himself, Quiambao said that he wanted his teammates to be more assertive on offense.
“Medyo binatuhan kami ng defense ng Ateneo, bina-box-and-one nila ako the whole game,” KQ said.
“Sabi ko lang sa mga kasama ko na be ready lang dahil may mga moments na kayo malilibre, dapat may confidence kayo to take that shot, and be disciplined lang,” Quiambao added.
Though he still ended up among the Green Archers’ leading scorers with 13 points along with Mike Phillips, Quiambao also had seven assists to sweeten his stat line.
But more than improving his own numbers, his willingness to share the rock and contribute in other ways helped the Green Archers overcome a gutsy young Blue Eagle side.
[Related: UAAP: De La Salle rides second-half surge in convincing win over Ateneo]
And even as they ran away with the game later on courtesy of a defensive masterclass in the second half, Quiambao said there were still lots of things to learn from the win as the challenges will only add up as their title defense goes on.
“Marami pa kaming na-learn sa larong to, tulad ng turnovers, napakarami. Yun yung mga kailangan naming i-work on moving forward,” he said.
Though posting MVP-esque numbers so far in their three wins, Quiambao also felt that he had much to work on personally.
Aside from stuffing the stat sheet, he said that there were still things to learn about helping lead his team.
Following the exit of veteran guard Evan Nelle, Quiambao now has to be the anchor of the Taft-based team.
“So far, lahat sa amin, marami pang pagkukulang, especially me, marami pa akong pagkukulang dahil bago nga lang ako sa leadership role. Pero kailangan lang namin na gawin namin yung best namin and control yung mako-control namin,” he said.
Quiambao and the rest of the Green Archers will have some time before they’re tested anew as they take a one-week break before facing the UE Red Warriors in their next game on Sunday, September 22, at the Mall of Asia Arena.
La Salle will be gunning for a 4-0 start to the season while the Red Warriors are hoping for an upset win over the defending champions. The latter currently have a 0-2 record.