Two-time MVP Kevin Quiambao bounced back with a tremendous fourth quarter performance to tow the DLSU Green Archers to a deciding Game 3 in the UAAP Season 87 Finals.
Kevin Quiambao admitted he was left questioning himself after a tough outing in La Salle’s Game 1 loss to the UP Fighting Maroons in the UAAP Season 87 Finals last weekend.
After being held to just one point in the second half in their Finals opener, the two-time MVP said that he mulled his game over mightily in an attempt to figure out how to keep his team in the title conversation.
When push came to shove in a do-or-die Game 2, Quiambao said that he dug deep to inspire himself to a dominant performance in the fourth quarter that kept La Salle’s season alive.
[RELATED: MVP Kevin Quiambao goes berserk as La Salle forces UP to winner-take-all Game 3 in UAAP Finals]
“I think it’s all about mental toughness lang. Our bodies, sobrang bumped up na, kaming lahat. For me, after that Game 1 loss, two days ako walang tulog. Inisip ko kung ano yung pwede kong itulong sa team. Kung ano pa yung pwede kong i-adjust yung second half ng Game 1,” said Quiambao after the win.
“Marami akong regrets nung Game 1 na sana ginawa ko to, sana ginawa ko yun, so, this time, sabi ko lang sa mga teammates ko na, enjoyin niyo lang yung moment. No pressure. And then tiwala lang sa isa’t isa. Brother’s keeper.”
La Salle indeed trusted in Quiambao as he found himself with the rock in crucial moments of the fourth quarter.
Finding themselves down by seven late, 66-73, Quiambao sparked a 10-2 finishing kick that doomed UP’s hopes of regaining the crown via sweep. Though he missed crucial free throws down the line, Quiambao scored 11 of his 22 points in the final canto to push the Green Archers to victory.
As the going got tough in the fourth, Quiambao owned up to his role in the DLSU team, which meant that he took it upon himself to keep them in the game.
Understanding what the Green Archers needed from him, the 23-year-old walked his talk.
“Crunch time, it’s all about leadership. We’re struggling the whole game. Kumbaga, we are rattled nung third quarter. As a leader sa team, wala akong masabi na lead by example. Lahat ng pinagtrabahuhan namin sa practice, magt-translate kapag may kumpyansa ka sa loob ng court,” said Quiambao.
“And then, yun lang, hinayaan lang kami ni coach Topex [Robinson], ni coach Caloy [Loyzaga]. Alam ko sobrang pressured na kami lahat, pati yung coaching staff. Sinabi ko lang enjoyin lang namin itong moment na to,” he added.
With the chance to take back-to-back titles still in the picture, Quiambao will hope to replicate his efforts in the winner-take-all Game 3.
La Salle and UP lock horns once more this season on Sunday, December 15, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.