Presumptive two-time UAAP MVP bared the lesson he learned from Gilas Pilipinas which he then imparted on his La Salle teammates.
Soon-to-be two-time UAAP MVP Kevin Quiambao had a lot of invaluable experience after his latest tour of duty with Gilas Pilipinas, just in time for the last leg of the DLSU Green Archers’ title retention bid in UAAP Season 87.
Despite missing two weeks of training camp with La Salle heading into the Final Four because of his call-up, it was inevitably a win-win situation for all parties as the 23-year-old came back into the La Salle fold with new lessons.
After their Final Four win over the Adamson Soaring Falcons over the weekend, Quiambao said that it was something that he already wanted to share with his teammates.
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“I think unang sinabi ko sa lahat ng teammate ko is stay ready lang. Yung opportunity, 'di mo alam kung kelan darating sa'yo. Kumbaga, bigay mo lang 'yung best mo every day sa practice. Lahat naman ng pinaghirapan mo, kumbaga, magre-reflect 'yan kapag nagkaroon ka ng opportunity,” said Quiambao.
Quiambao learned to wait for his opportunity as well with Gilas Pilipinas, as he was a DNP in their first game against the New Zealand Tall Blacks – along with La Salle teammate Mason Amos.
But in the second game against Hong Kong, Quiambao finally got his spotlight with head coach Tim Cone.
In the sweep-clinching win for the window, the reigning UAAP MVP played 22 minutes to finish with eight points, five rebounds, and four assists. Counting himself in a team filled with veterans, including multi-titled PBA players, it was a good showing for Quiambao.
Seeing his own effort pay off, the lesson was something that he immediately shared with his fellow Green Archers.
“So, matawag ka man or hindi, be a good role model sa bawat teammate, be a brother’s keeper. Kahit 'di mo makuha yung minuto mo, ayun nga, madami namang ways para tumulong sa team so lagi ko sinasabi sakanila, be ready lang. Wag na wag kayong mawawalan ng kumpyansa palagi,” he said.
But the learning was a two-way street, as Quiambao also said that he was able to gel even more with his teammates and develop new skills ahead of their finals rematch against the UP Fighting Maroons beginning on Sunday.
Despite being away from the team for most of their training camp, Quiambao did not waste time and was able to reintegrate back into their system immediately.
“Pagbalik ko wala namang nagbago, I think 'yung relationship lang namin, 'yung bonding lang namin mas naging closer dahil nga 17 days kaming walang laro. So, 'yung 17 days na 'yon, 14 days do'n wala ako so three days ko lang sila nakasama so, ayun, in three days madami kaming nakuha, marami akong natutunan sa kanila, marami rin silang nai-apply sa team,” he said.
“So, 'yun nonetheless happy ako na nakabalik sa La Salle and then nakapasok ulit sa finals.”
Quiambao and the rest of the Green Archers return to battle in the best-of-three finals against UP on Sunday, December 8, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.