It’s UAAP crown over anything else for Quiambao

MANILA, Philippines — Kevin Quiambao is chasing far more valuable things than just winning his second straight Most Valuable Player (MVP) plum.

Poised to nab a second MVP award in a row after bannering the race through the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball first round, Quiambao, though, is more keen on a second consecutive title for reigning champion La Salle.

“Naniniwala kami na kaya namin lahat ng teams. Pinagtrabahuan namin ito ng ilang buwan. Confident kami na kaya namin silang lahat talunin,” declared Quiambao, who collected 87.571 statistical points as La Salle topped the first round.

Quiambao, a Gilas Pilipinas standout, led the UAAP in scoring with an average of 16.4 points going with norms of 8.9 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 1.29 steals for an all-around brilliance in La Salle’s 6-1 start highlighted by a 68-56 mastery of archrival University of the Philippines.

In that game, Quiambao delivered a 20-point, 10-rebound double-double as La Salle snapped UP’s unbeaten run and reminded everyone of its desire despite a stumble midway in the round.

That slide was a 75-71 loss to red-hot University of the East before the Archers strung three straight wins to stabilize their bid. Now, they’re looking unstoppable with a strong momentum entering the second round.

“Nag-players meeting kami after our loss vs UE. Sinabi namin na pressure is privilege. Kumbaga outside noise lang. Kailangan protektahan namin yung inner circle ng team namin,” he emphasized.

“From there, nag-stick lang kami sa system namin, sinacrifice ko yung role ko as a veteran. ‘Di pala kailangan laging puntos, kailangan ko din i-involve yung teammates ko.”

And La Salle did.

Trailing behind Quiambao in the MVP derby are UP’s JD Cagulangan (77.0 SPs) albeit he missed the last two games, and another Archer in Mike Phillips (72.143).