LIMITED to a solitary point in the second half of La Salle's 73-65 Game One loss to the University of the Philippines in the UAAP Season 87 men's basketball finals, Kevin Quiambao took it hard and took it personally.
Truth be told, it also left him with sleepless nights – two, to be exact.
“After that Game One loss, hindi ako nakatulog nang two days,” shared the newly crowned two-time UAAP MVP.
“Win or lose, it’s on me. We had our backs against the wall and kung ano man yung maging result nitong Game Two, ako yung ibe-blame win or lose.”
It’s the kind of accountability one expects from Quiambao.
After all, coach Topex Robinson hasn’t been shy in reminding everyone that KQ will always be their man. Always has. Always will be.
And such, with the dreams of a back-to-back slipping slowly through the Green Archers’ fingers, the Gilas Pilipinas star took it upon himself to shoulder the load for the Taft side, going berserk in the fourth quarter, where he dropped 11 of his 22 points.
READ: La Salle, UP coaches shake hands in aftermath of KQ takeover
His stepback three over Jacob Bayla with two minutes to go brought life back to the Lasallian faithful and his huge catch-and-shoot three from way out, over the outstretched arms of Quentin Millora-Brown no less, 30 seconds later gave the green-and-white the 74-73 lead.
In the end of what has been a dramatic roller-coaster, La Salle fought to live another day, 76-75.
La Salle's engine and fuel
Wearing his heart on his chest, the Muntinlupa City native couldn’t help but be reduced to tears as the final buzzer sounded, knowing that he gave it all on the floor no matter what happened and was rewarded with one last shot at defending the Green Archers’ crown.
“Sa game na ito, it’s all about mental toughness. Sobrang emotional ko kasi pinagpuyatan ko ito at alam ko kung ano yung mga pagkakamali ko nung Game One. I take ownership of it,” said Quiambao, who also had nine rebounds, four assists, and one steal in the series-tying win.
And you bet, it’s going to be the same theme come Game Three, that no matter what happens, as Robinson always says, KQ’s gonna win games for them and KQ’s gonna lose games for them.
“I take responsibility sa kung ano man ang mangyayari sa team namin this series,” Quiambao said.
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