KEVIN Quiambao won't be a one-and-done and vowed to return for La Salle next season.
Fresh off winning the Rookie of the Year honors in UAAP Season 85 men's basketball tournament, the Muntinlupa native allayed fears of his potential departure and said that he will be back in a Green Archers uniform come next year.
"Babalik ako for Season 86. Nakausap ko na naman lahat ng [officials ng] La Salle," he said.
[READ: Padrigao hears jeers during awards rites]
Quiambao was excellent in his first season in the seniors division, posting 11.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, 6.0 assists, and 1.7 steals for the Green Archers.
He missed the last two games for La Salle after testing positive for COVID-19, both of which were crucial games for his side. The Green Archers went on and lost the fourth-seed playoff to Adamson.
There were doubts, though, on his commitment in La Salle especially after he wrote on his social accounts, "See you maybe next season."
The tone has certainly changed and Quiambao is already bold enough to set La Salle's goals come UAAP Season 86.
"Yung goal namin na mag-champion next season, kailangan ko dalhin sa Taft. Ibalik yung crown sa Taft," he said.
As disappointing as this season's outcome may have been for the Taft crew, Quiambao was still happy with how he performed in his first year for the green-and-white.
"Para sa akin, na-meet ko naman ang expectations, hindi ko lang alam sa kanila. Pero para sa akin, sobrang laking achievement na ito for me. Morale-booster ito coming for the next season at sobrang happy ako na nakuha itong individual award. But ayun nga, sad din ako dahil hindi nakuha yung championship."
But Quiambao also said that this will only serve as motivation for La Salle to compete harder for the next campaign.
"This season is a rollercoaster ride dahil sobrang daming injuries at lahat ng kumbagang challenges, hinarap namin," he said. "Yun lang talaga hindi namin naabot yung goal namin. So, bale next season, itry naming makuha yung championship and try namin maging healthy lahat."
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