By LEE BENJAMIN
Apparently, Kevin Quiambao called his shot way before UAAP Season 86 tipped off.
In January 2023 to be exact; just days after Topex Robinson was installed as the new head coach of a La Salle team that last celebrated a UAAP title in 2017, back when Ben Mbala and Jeron Teng were still in green and white.
'SZN 86 CHAMPS!'
Those words were written on the mirror of the Green Archers' weights room inside their dorm in Taft Ave. It was a guarantee that turned up the pressure on Robinson all the more just days into his tenure as shot-caller for one of the Philippines' most demanding programs.
Nobody owned up to the scribble, but the mentor knew - and was confident - whom the byline was to be attributed to.
That's because along with the bold declaration were three words: Love. Serve. Care. - the core of Robinson's coaching philosophy from Lyceum all the way to La Salle.
The only other Green Archer who had already lived by that mindset? Quiambao, a Team B player for the Jr. Pirates when Robinson was still at the helm of LPU's seniors squad.
"That's when I knew that this team's gonna be special because one of your best players supports what you want to do," he said.
From then on, Robinson believed the Green Archers had the makings of a champion.
Even better, Quiambao acknowledged that those aspirations mostly rested on his shoulders - with the help of Evan Nelle and Mike Phillips, of course.
The 6-foot-7 modern big bravely carried that weight all the way to the winner-take all game of the best-of-three finals against the University of the Philippines last Wednesday.
With his side clinging to a 70-67 lead with five ticks to go, the Season MVP was sent to the line where, with a shot to seal the deal, he went 1-of-2.
Quiambao in tears
"I will never forget this. Nung unang free throws niya nung Game 3 that he split, nag-timeout after ang UP and during our huddle, umiiyak siya. As in, hindi niya mapigilan," recalled Robinson.
Those weren't tears of joy, however. The game was far from over - though it could've been closer to the finish if only Quiambao hit both freebies.
Luckily for the 22 year old, after another defensive stop by La Salle, the Fighting Maroons fouled him yet again, giving him two more shots to atone for his shortcoming.
"What's good about this was when he had another opportunity, he made sure he made both. Ganun talaga siya ka-desperate to not only win it for himself, but also the people who believe in him and in us," said Robinson.
Swish and swish, the ball went and one second later, the Green Archers reigned over the UAAP anew. Quiambao was champion, Season MVP, and Finals MVP. Nelle was a two-league titlist. Robinson finally won the big one.
Apparently, all of it had long been guaranteed.
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