For some, being a student-athlete is already a daunting task. Reigning UAAP MVP Kevin Quiambao has an extra, but meaningful challenge, as he also deal with being a parent.
There is a lot to balance in the life of a student-athlete in the UAAP, but reigning MVP Kevin Quiambao has an added role that he has to play, apart from leading the DLSU Green Archers in Season 87: being a father.
Quiambao, 23, recently welcomed a new chapter in his life when his partner Faye Aguila gave birth to their son, Kevin Vennan. And during the Undas break, amid a hectic La Salle title defense and looming Gilas Pilipinas duties, KQ is eager to have extra time with both of them.
“Sa wakas, ayun lang masasabi ko, makapag-alaga na ako ng bata,” Quiambao said of the short break for the Green Archers.
“Dahil, ayun nga, yung break na to, it's an opportunity na makaka-bond ko yung family ko more. And then, ayun, dahil it's a long season nga, we need to check on our family and then our loved ones,” he added.
Quiambao and DLSU last played on October 26, where they defeated arch rivals Ateneo in their second round encounter to improve to a 10-1 record. With their next game not being until November 6, he believes it will be also be a good opportunity for the Green Archers to recover well.
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“Yung break na to, crucial sa amin dahil mayroon kaming S&C (strength and conditioning) program… Na hindi kami pinapabayaan since day one. So, ayun lang, pahinga lang kami and then move on to the next game. Kahit matagal pa,” he said.
Quiambao has been on top of his game from the get-go this UAAP Season 87, being the driving force behind La Salle’s current push where the champs sit atop the standings after 11 games in the elimination round.
But even outside the court, as both a student and a father, there is much more he needs to give attention to. Now that there’s still a couple of more days before the Green Archers rev back into gear, KQ wants to play his other roles in life as well as he does on the court.
“As a student-athlete, sobrang hirap na mag-balance ng time. Dahil nga, dati nga lang nung wala pa kong anak nahihirapan na ko. Pero ayun, para sa pamilya ko, gagawin ko lahat, titiisin ko lang lahat ng pagod, lahat ng puyat,” said Quiambao, whose son also recently celebrated his first month.
“At the same time, makapag-perform ng maayos dahil nga isa ako sa mga leaders dito kailangan ko mag-set ng tone, lead by example sa team na to," he added.
After the lengthy break, Quiambao and the Green Archers will be back in action when they face the FEU Tamaraws on Wednesday, November 6, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.