La Salle Green Archers star Kevin Quiambao during a UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball game against the UST Growling Tigers. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines – Kevin Quiambao attributed his new career highlight to the support of his teammates as La Salle found ways to break the University of Santo Tomas’s valiant stand in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament.
When the defending champions pushed themselves to the limit, Quiambao achieved his best result to date: 29 points on 4 of 6 three-point shots as well as nine rebounds and three assists.
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But the reigning MVP, whose main motivation is a newborn baby, chose to focus on the hard-fought victory – La Salle’s fifth straight – rather than bask in the glory of his recent performance.
READ: Topex tells new dad Kevin Quiambao: “Be a responsible father and partner”
“My motivation comes from seeing my teammates happy, which pushes me to do my best on every possession. If I achieved this career high, the credit goes to them because without their support I couldn’t have done it,” Quiambao told reporters after the 94-87 win.
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“It was more important that we won than just achieving a personal best than losing. I always remember that I have to win for the team and my personal successes will come later. I am grateful for what I have achieved, but I remain focused on the bigger picture,” he added.
WATCH: For Kevin Quiambao, it’s “a career highlight.” #UAAPSeason87 | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/otiUPvjLNz
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The Gilas Pilipinas forward had a chance to bounce back after struggling with 10 points against University of the East last Saturday.
Kevin Quiambao and the La Salle Green Archers at the UAAP Season 87 Men’s Basketball Tournament. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
“After a bad game against UE, I just worked hard again. I got healthy, my nervous system recovered and I got back into the swing of things,” Quiambao said.
Quiambao’s career best was nearly thwarted by a Growling Tigers team desperate for a win. The Green Archers allowed 26 turnovers and blew a 20-point lead, leaving the door wide open for UST to force overtime.
But La Salle heeded coach Topex Robinson’s call, found its feet right away and dominated over the next five minutes to take the life out of UST.
READ: UAAP: Quiambao says La Salle’s culture plays an important role in its early success
“When I make mistakes as a leader, I just acknowledge them and say, ‘That was my fault, let’s move on to the next play.’ We shouldn’t force anything; “We should just wait for the game to come to us,” Quiambao said.
“We just have to stick to the system and not get distracted because we tend to go our own way when the opponent is on the run. As veterans, we told each other to keep fighting, to value every possession and to just do what was asked of us,” he said.
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With an 8-1 record as the Final Four race heats up, Quiambao and the Green Archers look forward to learning the lessons of this close record.
“We shouldn’t let anything slow our momentum. It’s a learning curve for us and there’s still a lot we can improve. This game is a lesson in not being overconfident and playing hard from the first to the fourth quarter,” he said.