KEVIN Quiambao has distanced himself from a reported offer to play in the NBA Summer League, saying he wants to put his undivided attention on Strong Group's bid to win the country’s first title in the Dubai International Basketball Championship.
As talk of interest from the Westchester Knicks continues to simmer online, the 6-7 rising star said he is not looking that far ahead, insisting SGA's current campaign in Dubai and La Salle's quest for a UAAP repeat are the only goals in his mind.
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“Sa totoo lang naman po, wala pa naman kumakausap sa akin doon sa NBA. Nabanggit lang ni Coach Charles (Tiu) sa akin na kapag tuloy-tuloy na maganda laro ko, baka magkaroon sila ng interest at kaya nila ako tulungan kunan ng invite or tryout sa Summer League,” said Quimbao,
“Pero sa ngayon po hindi ko pa yan iniisip kasi naka-focus pa ako dito sa Strong Group sa Dubai at sa DLSU, pero nakakatuwa na sinasabihan ako nila Coach Brian (Goorjian) na kaya ko talaga maglaro internationally kasi yun din pangarap ko one day,” he added.
Quiambao said there's no point talking about what's beyond at this point, saying it will only put undue pressure on himself and build up unwanted hype.
“Sa ngayon po gusto ko muna focus sa kung ano yung mga nasa harap ko and then continue to improve myself, so when the time comes na ready na ako for a bigger stage, hindi ko mapapahiya yung mga aasa at naniniwala sa kin,” said the usually reserved big man.
Room for improvement
A consistent top performer in a Strong Group side laden with former NBA standouts in Dubai, where he has become a marked man, Quiambao believes he still has a lot of room to grow.
“Madami pa po akong gustong ma-improve sa game ko at sa sarili ko before I can call myself ready for the biggest stage. And when that time comes, ako po mismo ang mag-aapply for that position,” he said.
“To be honest, sana po matigil na muna yung usapan na yan sa akin about NBA. Kasi po if ever may on the table, baka ma pre-empt pa po,” the 22-year old pride of Muntinlupa City said.
Asked if there is really an invite from an NBA team for him to play in the Summer League, Quiambao expressed reservations.
“Ayaw ko na po muna magsalita regarding that, kasi baka magkaroon pa ng negative implications. For me or for some other Filipinos na ina-eye nila dun (sa NBA). So, siguro it will be safe for everyone to say na sa ngayon, wala muna. Para din po hindi na rin maging problema,” he said.
“Pero patuloy naman po sa pag-remind sa akin ang coaching staff, lalo na si coach Charles, na ituloy ko lang ang hunger ko to improve, so I can get better than I was yesterday. So dun muna ako, marami pa ko gusto matutunan at magawa sa game ko,” said Quiambao.
Quiambao and Strong Group aim for a best finish in Dubai when they go up against Beirut in the knock-out semis at 1:15 a.m. (Philippine time) on Sunday.
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