KEVIN Quiambao admitted playing in a ligang labas game in Sariaya, Quezon in the middle of the UAAP season, but insisted he did it not much for the payout but out of his debt of gratitude to the owner of the team he played for.
Speaking after La Salle's 77-66 win over the UP Maroons on Sunday night, the 6-7 forward confirmed playing for Team Vista Laiya in a tournament in Sariaya, Quezon last November 2, or four days before a La Salle game against the FEU Tamaraws.
READ Mula Sariaya hanggang Manila: KQ waging two fights in UAAP homestretch
However, the La Salle star denied that he received a huge amount for the ligang labas game, saying he did it more out of his 'utang na loob' to the team owner who he said had been one of his biggest supporters since he was young.
“May utang na loob ako du’n sa Vista Laiya na pinaglaruan ko. Malapit sila sa akin," Quiambao told SPIN.ph. "Taga-Las Piñas sila at malapit ‘yung Las Piñas sa Alabang, Simula pa lang nu’ng bata ako, inalagaan na nila ako.”
The new dad said he continues to play in ligang labas games to support his family, but denies receiving a big amount for the Sariaya match.
“For my family, ginawa ko lang [‘yung maglaro sa ligang labas]," the Gilas Pilipinas pool member said. "’Yung ganung kalaking halaga, hindi totoo. Never, never. Hindi naman ako tumatango na ganung halaking talaga.”
COLUMN: Until when will La Salle turn blind eye to KQ escapades?
The reigning Season and Finals MVP also said he had the clearance from both La Salle management and Green Archers coach Topex Robinson, who he said trust him to use his good judgment in such cases.
“Lahat pinapaalam ko sa management namin, kay coach, sa coaching staff. May basbas naman sila at sinasabing ingatan ko lang sarili ko," he said.
“Rule number one namin sa team, use your best judgment. Kung anong gusto mong gawin sa buhay, gawin mo lang. Basta ‘yung team ang nakasalalay diyan sa lahat ng gagawin mo.”
Haters gonna hate
His ligang labas forays has inevitably gained attention on social media, but Quiambao was quick to brush off the criticism.
“Hindi naman natin maco-control kung ano ‘yung mga masasabi nila, ‘yung emotions nila sa akin. Kontrolado ko lang kung ano ‘yung pwede kong gawin," Quiambao said. "Kumbaga, keyboard warrior lang naman ‘yan eh. Wala namang mapapala diyan, wala kang matututunan diyan."
“Once na nakikita ko naman [mga sinasabi nila], there's motivation din na kailangan kong mag-strive harder and perform better.”
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
