KEVIN Quiambao is in a league of his own as one of the best - if not THE best - players in Philippine collegiate basketball today.
In a stage as grand as La Salle’s rivalry showdown with Ateneo, won by the Taft side for the third time in their last four meetings, KQ did KQ things as one would expect with a near-triple-double of 13 points, 13 rebounds, and seven assists in the 74-61 victory.
READ: La Salle runs away from Ateneo in second half to remain perfect
But having won it all - championship, Season MVP, Finals MVP - in the college ranks never ensured perfection for him.
In fact, there’s one key weakness in his near-flawless game which he placed at the core of his offseason preparations upon the advice of local coaches who reached out to him: dribbling.
“Last year, maraming nag-approach sa’kin na coaches na kailangan kong i-improve ‘yung dribbling ko. As soon as early January, winork on ko na ‘yung handles, then ‘yung dribbling ko dahil nga sanay ako na basa-basa lang ng situation, pasa-pasa lang,” Quiambao shared to SPIN.ph.
“This time kasi, iba ‘yung sitwasyon eh. Kami nila Mike [Phillips] ‘yung mga veterans na kailangang mag-create para sa team. Number one key is kailangang nababasa mo ‘yung sitwasyon.”
A student of the game, always
In over a year since taking the helm at La Salle, head coach Topex Robinson and Quiambao easily grew fond of each other and built a winning relationship that goes beyond the court.
So no matter what advice many other mentors may tell him, what will matter most is his own coach's.
This was exemplified in a warm embrace shared by the champion pair at the sidelines midway through La Salle’s victory over Ateneo.
Such a fervent show of love and respect is grounded on what Quiambao considers to be the most important advice he received in years of playing the game: always listen to your coaches and never stop learning.
“Sa lahat ng mga naging coach ko, lagi nilang sinasabi sa’kin na makinig ka sa mga coaches lagi dahil player ka, may mas nakakatanda sayo, may mas ahead sayo, kaya tanggapin mo na mas may ekspiryensado sayo," he said.
“Be a student of the game nga ‘yung lagi kong sinasabi. Sunod ka lang sa coaches mo, sunod ka lang sa sistema, then bahala na ‘yung results.”
Leader by example and excellence
Quiambao’s MVP-winning and title-clinching sophomore season last year allowed him to play freely and show the way for the ever-dominant Green Archers.
But as one of two veteran stars alongside Phillips, KQ now has more weight on his shoulders — one he deems to not be too heavy to drag him down, but instead add fuel to fire him up.
“Kailangan na kailangan ‘yung challenge na ‘yun (na maging leader) dahil love ko ‘yung team na ‘to. Kung ano ‘yung meron kami ngayon, ite-take ko as a challenge and as a learning na nabiyayaan ako na maging isang leader sa team,” Quiambao said.
“Du’n pa lang, panalo na ko eh.”
“Leader ka, marami silang kailangang matutunan sayo. So ako, lead by example lang ako. Lagi ko sinasabi sa kanila na trabaho lang lagi at ‘wag na ‘wag kayong magsawang magtrabaho dahil sa basketball, bilog ang bola. ‘Di mo malalaman na baka may isang moment na ikaw ‘yung makaka-shoot, ikaw ‘yung mag-best player, so soak in mo lang lahat.”
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