‘CHAMPIONSHIP or bust.'
This was La Salle’s battlecry entering a UAAP Season 86 men’s basketball tournament where it was billed behind a dynasty-seeking Ateneo side and a loaded University of the Philippines squad.
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The Green Archers had an up-and-down start to the campaign before winning 10 of their last 11 games en route to championship gold, thanks in large part to an MVP-caliber talent.
M-V-Q!
Kevin Quiambao stood at the forefront of a La Salle renaissance from a shaky 4-3 (win-loss) start. Two noteworthy triple-double outings against National University and University of the East, on top of setting the league's single-game assists record (14), sent shockwaves across the league.
Muntinlupa’s homegrown hero emerged as the league’s first local MVP since Kiefer Ravena (2014-15) and La Salle’s first local MVP since Don Allado (1998-99).
After shrugging off all the buzz surrounding his stellar second season with the green-and-white, Quiambao was finally able to bask in the glory of the one and only prize he so desperately sought — the UAAP men’s basketball championship.
With an exceptional year like KQ had, it goes without question that he’d be first in line to receive playing offers both domestic or overseas.
From teasing fans on his 2024 destination before taking a post-season Japan vacation, the newly crowned MVP settled the score once and for all — KQ stays in Taft and on top of the college basketball summit.
‘Topex Trap’ catches gold
KQ and the rest of the Green Archers deflected all credit on La Salle’s success to fellow student and debuting headmaster Topex Robinson — known for his signature 'Topex Trap' brand of defense with his teams.
While on his second term as a Sports Management student at La Salle, Topex orchestrated sweet symphony on a title-hungry Green Archers team that waited seven years for championship glory.
This, on top of redeeming himself from years of sorry career losses in college basketball, in the NCAA with San Sebastian (2011-14) and Lyceum (2015-19).
Proving how they’re no ‘bust’ of a team by any means, La Salle culminated a season where doubters swiftly turned into believers with a striking touch of gold.
Hail to De La Salle, indeed.
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