CHICAGO - When the UAAP's Season 86 tipped off last September, much of the talk about Kevin Quiambao centered on how he has transformed his physique in a way that made him the poster child for alpha male aura.
Last night, the La Salle star and presumptive MVP winner told me exactly how much unwanted weight he has shed in the space of a few months.
"In April, 103 kilograms ako and nag-loss ako ng body fat from 15 percent to 11 percent. 94 kilograms ako today," he told me in an interview.
READ What La Salle greats say about MVP frontrunner Kevin Quiambao
The math is astounding and it has worked out perfectly for the 22-year old power forward. Less weight and more muscles equals the best version of Quiambao.
"I think physically, dahil sa conditioning na improve ko po lahat ng aspect sa game ko po. And nag-stick lang ako sa gustong mangyari ng coaching staff," Quiambao said of the body change that has made him a triple-double threat.
While the UP Maroons are notorious for their depth, experience and formidable guard play, their defense is their wrecking card.
He expects UP to attack him with their clean, physical defense using different looks and personnel. But Quiambao said he won't change how he plays.
"Mag-stick pa din po ako sa system namin no matter what. For sure paiba-iba silang ng ilalagay sa akin. As much as possible, kung sino lang pwedeng i-take advantage dun po ako."
RETURN TO GLORY.
Regardless of the defensive gauntlet UP throws at him, Quiambao, who is averaging 16.7 points, 10.6 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 1.8 blocks per game, will be a tough cover.
Game 1 of the best-of-three Season 86 Finals is Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The Green Archers haven't won it all since 2016. The Maroons, meanwhile, are gunning for their second title in three years.
With the 1-2 combo of coach Goldwyn Monteverde and program director Bo Perasol, the Maroons have not only dented Ateneo's cloak of invincibility, they have stockpiled enough talents to actually birth their own dynasty.
While the Maroons and Blue Eagles have a sizzling rivalry going on, sparking unprecedented interest in an already popular league, a sleeping giant has awakened.
Winner of nine UAAP titles, including a string from 1998 to 2001, the Green Archers are back with their sharpened bows and arrows. After failing to make the Final Four in a disappointing Season 85 campaign, La Salle is back in the hunt.
UNDER PRESSURE.
I asked Quiambao what kind of pressure he and his teammates are under.
"I think pressure nandyan po palagi yan. It's just a matter kung paano namin i-handle properly as a group and as a reliable man sa team po."
Like the other Final Four teams this year, Quiambao celebrates the new coach La Salle hired last January, an NCAA and PBA veteran who re-energized the program with the kind of vibe that has coalesced the Archers into one unit slinging with one bow.
"Playing for coach Topex Robinson is so special. Bihira lang 'yung coach na tanggap kaming lahat in a way na maka-bonding namin siya inside and outside the court. I mean life and basketball nandyan siya para sa akin at sa mga teammates ko."
Regardless of this title series' outcome, Kevin vows to continue doing the hard work.
"For me, God and family, ayun naman po talaga rason bakit pinagpatuloy ko po lahat lahat. Para sa family po talaga. And siyempre para din po sa La Sallian community community. Nandiyan po sila through ups and downs."
UP is going to be hard to beat but the Green Archers have Evan Nelle and Mark Noynoy sniffing an upset.
Ultimately, though, Kevin Quiambao is the key. He is a man on a mission.
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