IN a star-laden Strong Group Athletics (SGA) side loaded with foreign talent, Kevin Quiambao got the early heads-up from SGA coach Charles Tiu on a different role he'll have to play for the team.
The newly-minted UAAP champion and MVP embraced the challenge to switch gears just over a month since La Salle ruled a fiercely-contested Season 86 title series over University of the Philippines.
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"As early as December, sinabihan naman ako ni Coach Charles [Tiu] na 'di ako pwede maglaro ng kwatro dito (sa Strong Group) dahil ayun nga, 'yung international level, wing talaga ako.
"Sinabihan agad ako ni Coach Charles sa mga talagang [dapat] dine-develop ko every day and kung ano 'yung i-aadjust ko pa coming from a power forward na magiging wing na. So ayun, kung ano lang 'yung binibigay sa'kin na instructions ni Coach Charles, tine-take advantage ko lang palagi," said Quiambao.
KQ might not be all too familiar with his forthcoming winger role after being La Salle's power forward in their title run, but the comforting sense of familiarity to play alongside Francis Escandor and coach Topex Robinson has made life with Strong Group much easier for him.
"Sobrang saya kasi 'yun nga, dahil magkasama kami last January until ngayon, nabubuo na 'yung bonding namin even wala kami sa La Salle, pero ire-represent pa rin namin 'yung bansa. And ayun, sobrang happy lang na makasama ko sila.
Quiambao added: "Sobrang ganda rin naman ng progress as per Coach Charles sa kung ano 'yung roles namin, napupunan naman namin. Can’t wait na makapunta ako sa Dubai and makapaglaro in front of maraming kababayan."
World-class influences
Already equipped with an MVP-caliber skillset, the UAAP MVP couldn't be more thrilled to play with and learn from Strong Group's international standouts which include ex-NBA aces Dwight Howard, Andre Roberson, and Andray Blatche alonside European champion McKenzie Moore.
"Sobrang laking influence nila sa'kin knowing na ayun nga, 'yung career ko is sobrang young pa and sobrang dami kong natututunan sa kanila every day. Gine-gel ko lang 'yung pwede kong matutunan and ayun, [sumusunod] lang ako sa learning process palagi and sa kung ano 'yung sasabihin nila sakin, ite-take advantage ko (kasi) ito 'yung dadalhin ko sa buong career ko — 'yung mga payo na binibigay nila sa'kin.
Quiambao & Co. will take flight in the two-week-long 33rd Dubai International Basketball Championship which tips off January 19.
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