KEVIN Quiambao is the MVP of the UAAP Season 86 men's basketball tournament.
With a runaway output of 97 statistical points, Quiambao bested the rest of the field to become the league’s first local MVP since Ateneo’s Kiefer Ravena in 2014 and 2015.
READ: What La Salle greats had to say about MVP frontrunner Kevin Quiambao
Moreover, La Salle finally has its first local Green Archer winning the top individual nod since Don Allado won the league title, MVP, and Finals MVP in both the 1998 and 1999 seasons.
University of the East’s Rey Remogat came in a distant second in the MVP race with 85.929 SP, followed by Quiambao’s teammate Evan Nelle in third with 77.538 SP.
Reigning MVP and Finals-bound Malick Diouf (74.769 SP) and outgoing Far Eastern University senior L-Jay Gonzales (66.857 SP) rounded out the top five.
From an unprecedented two triple-double outings in the prelims to bagging the MVP plum, one more prize is up for the taking to complete KQ’s dream season — the championship.
But beyond the league’s eight-year wait for a local MVP, it will be La Salle’s seven-year title drought which Quiambao aims to end once and for all when they face University of the Philippines in the Season 86 finals.
"For me, it’s not me versus (Malick) Diouf. It’s UP vs. DLSU in the Finals. 'Yung total team effort ipapakita namin. Focus lang kami sa present knowing na kilala ako ni Coach Gold (Monteverde), nakasama ko siya sa NU.
"Bibigay ko lang yung best ko everyday and magpe-prepare well para sa Finals. Kailangan lang naming maging grounded para sa laban na 'to," Quiambao said.
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