Quiambao likely to handle playmaking chores for La Salle in UAAP Season 87

MANILA, Philippines -- Floor general Kevin Quiambao, incoming?

With targets on their backs, it is no secret that the La Salle Green Archers’ title defense in the upcoming UAAP Season 87 will be heavily reliant on the performance of reigning Most Valuable Player Kevin Quiambao.

Quiambao, perhaps the best collegiate player in the country, will play the biggest role in the squad coming into the next season.

La Salle head coach Topex Robinson said that with the team now missing the services of the team’s main point guards from last season’s championship squad, don’t be shocked if the versatile forward will be bringing the ball up and down the court.

“Well, we keep it exciting for him. We lost Evan Nelle, we lost Mark Nonoy so those are the two guys that we really lost that are integral parts of our program. When KQ was deciding on staying, that's one of the things that he touched upon. He said he wanted to try new things, so I told him, why not be point guard?” the coach told reporters on Wednesday.

“He told me he would love to do so and we've experimented on that and don't be surprised if you see KQ bringing down the ball and setting up the play for us come Season 87,” he added.

Last season, Quiambao showed his versatility and game IQ with triple-doubles.

In the elimination round, the young gun averaged 16.7 points, 7.9 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 1.9 steals en route to being the first local UAAP MVP since Kiefer Ravena.

“Everybody's been saying that he's too old for the UAAP. You know, his skill level is too old but there's so much room to grow,” Robinson said.

“What I love about KQ is he's a student of the game, you know, we find ways to really learn and grow from what he could get with his career so you know, that's one thing that we're gonna experiment on it and I'm excited to see KQ being our point guard.”

Aside from Nelle and Nonoy, the team also lost Jonnel Policarpio, Ben Phillips and Ef Escandor from last season’s team.

The Green Archers will kick off their title defense on Sunday against the National University Bulldogs at 6:30 p.m.