KEVIN Quiambao knew no wrong as he shattered his career-best 29-point benchmark in just a span of 10 days.
READ: KQ resets career high as La Salle scores elims sweep of archrival Ateneo
It’s as if the reigning and defending Season and Finals MVP has already made a habit out of record-breaking performances, as he and La Salle firm up their title retention bid in UAAP Season 87.
As he reflects on his best-ever 33-piece, KQ couldn’t help but look back at how much of a privilege it has been for him to don the green-and-white and break the norms of how far a college player’s potential can go.
At the same time, Quiambao shockingly bared that Taft Ave. wasn’t even supposed to be his new home to begin with.
Nowhere to go but UP?
Quiambao’s decorated juniors career at NU-Nazareth School ended with a seismic transfer to the Green Archers, as the rest of that title-winning core jumped ship to the University of the Philippines.
Little did people know that at that time, bar a few unexpected setbacks, KQ would’ve already been a Fighting Maroon just like his then-running mate Carl Tamayo.
Entering the equation, however, when it came down to a choice between UP and La Salle? His family.
“Way back 2020, nag-reach out sa akin yung buong management ng La Salle. At that time sa dati kong school, parang nagkaroon ng minor problem.
“Aaminin ko, papunta na talaga ako ng UP at that time. Sasama dapat ako kina Carl, kina Gerry [Abadiano], kina Terrence [Fortea],” Quiambao bared to SPIN.ph.
“Pero sinabi ko sa sarili ko, sa family ko, kasi dalawa pinagpipilian ko, kung mag-La Salle ako, tama ba itong gagawin ko na mag-iiba ako ng path sa mga dati kong teammate kasi noon na kahit medyo shaky, nandiyan sila palagi para sa’kin.
“Then ayun, the rest is history.”
Green-and-white was right
Going against the tide from almost everyone else from the Bullpups, including then-head coach Goldwin Monteverde, proved to be the best decision for his now-unrivaled collegiate career.
In fact, not a day goes by in which Quiambao won’t ever be grateful for the golden opportunities that went his way as he wears the green-and-white on his sleeve.
As he put it, “Knowing na ‘pag nagsuot ka ng La Salle jersey, ‘yung network mo sa mga alumni is sobrang laki. Sobrang daming makikilala. Sobrang daming friends na gusto ko rin makilala.”
And when the time comes that it’ll be KQ’s last dance for the Animo, best believe he’ll never forget being part of his dream school.
“Darating yung punto na magiging last game ko na para sa La Salle, na hindi mo na bababalikan yung mga times na ganito," he said.
“So it's a privilege na nakuha ako, nakasuot ako ng La Salle jersey, at ine-enjoy ko lang talaga every moment.”
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