KEVIN Quiambao shared the credit to Cjay Perez in his game-winning shot for Gilas Pilipinas in their overtime victory against Jordan on Friday in the FIBA Basketball World Cup Asian Qualifiers.
The Sono Goyang Skygunners player nailed the three that shattered a 79-79 tie with 11.7 seconds left in overtime to push Gilas Pilipinas to the hard-earned 82-81 win against the Falcons.
But KQ said he would not be able to make the shot if not for Perez, who dished it out after Freddy Ibrahim collapsed as the San Miguel guard drove to the basket.
READ: Cjay Perez preserves big scoring night with his lone assist late
Quiambao also took the shot in what he felt was an ‘off-night’ for him. Following that three, the former UAAP MVP finished the game with 14 points on 5-of-12 shooting from the field (42 percent), and 2-of-7 from threes (29 percent).
“Pasa niya ‘yun, tinira ko lang,” Quiambao said. “Pina-practice ko ‘yung shots na ‘yun. Pero off ako this game, it’s just all guts.”
“Lagi ko lang sinasabi, I just want to stay ready everytime. It doesn’t matter kung ilang minutes ‘yung laruin ko. Basta kapag pinasok ako na narinig ko ‘yung pangalan ko, ‘yung opportunity na ‘yun, ibibigay ko ‘yung best ko,” he added.
Ready was Quiambao in that situation as there was no hesitation on his part to attempt the three-point shot.
“Nasa rhythm na ako to take that shot. Luckily, it went in, and thankful ako kay Kuya Cjay for giving that pass,” he shared.
He may have called it an 'off-night' but the fact remains that Quiambao was key in Gilas' comeback from a 26-8 first-quarter deficit.
Aside from the game-winning three, KQ got Gilas Pilipinas ahead with a dunk, 47-46, for the team's first taste of the lead in the game. Quiambao also converted two free throws for a 51-46 lead, the biggest for Gilas Pilipinas against Jordan.
The win broke a four-game losing streak for Gilas Pilipinas, improving its record to 3-4 win-loss ahead of the final game of the window against Iran on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The 25-year-old Quiambao made the heroics in the window where Gilas Pilipinas naturalized player Justin Brownlee wasn’t around due to nagging injuries, forcing the national team to play all-Filipino.
KQ said they would rather have Brownlee around, but the win is also a testament that anyone can step up at any time.
“Siyempre, mas masarap kapag nandito si JB. Pero ‘yun nga, all-Filipino. We just want to prove na kaya naming manalo sa aspect na ‘to,” Quiambao said.
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