MANILA, Philippines — UAAP and De La Salle University superstar Kevin Quiambao is now a household name in collegiate basketball.
At 23 years old, the 6-foot-5 La Salle forward has accomplished a lot already and is seen as "pro ready" already given his skillsets, his high basketball IQ, and unique confidence once he steps into the basketball court.
In last season's UAAP men's basketball wars, he led the Green Archers to their first collegiate crown since the 2016-17 season, en route to being named the UAAP Most Valuable Player and Finals MVP.
His solid showing earned him a spot in the Gilas Pilipinas team that's now being handled by the PBA's all-time winning coach Tim Cone.
Quiambao said being part of the Gilas team is surreal, knowing that many Filipino aspiring players dreamed of making it to the national team.
"As a player, this (making the Gilas team) is a big achievement in my career knowing that it's the Philippine flag that's draped on the jersey I'm wearing," Quiambao said, during his guest appearance at the online sports program Power and Play of former PBA Commissioner Noli Eala on Saturday.
Quiambao's men's stint with the national started during the 2022 FIBA Asia Cup, before becoming part of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Asian Qualifiers, the FIBA Asia C[p 2025 Qualifiers early this year, along with the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Latvia.
He played in all three games in Latvia, and experience right before his eyes how it was to beat a world-class squad like Latvia right in its home floor.
And in the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers, Quiambao had his moments under Cone's system as he went on to average 12.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists in the first two games of the first window against Hong Kong and Taiwan.
Last January, Quiambao even had a rare opportunity to play alongside former NBA superstar Dwight Howard and ex-Gilas naturalized player Andray Blatche with the Strong Group Athletics, which placed second in the Dubai International Basketball Championships in the United Arab Emirates.
In retrospect, Quiambao can't help but describe his latest foray with Gilas as a big "blessing".
"Playing for the Philippines and representing the country is a once in a lifetime opportunity that I don't want to miss. And for me, once my name is called, I'll just give my best," he added.
Playing alongside the country's best led by eight-time PBA MVP June Mar Fajardo, Scottie Thompson and even Gilas naturalized player Justin Brownlee, Quiambao admitted that at first, he felt like he's just dreaming.
But knowing that he's had this rare opportunity to play alongside the country's best, he wouldn't want to waste such a chance to learn.
"Whatever role coach (Cone) gives me, I'll just play accordingly," he said. "And anything they teach me, whatever I need to improve on, I just absorb them all."
With all the experiences he's had thus far, Quiambao has been applying them all for La Salle, which as of this posting time, occupies second spot in the standings with its 5-1 record in the UAAP Season 87.
The La Salle sweet-shooting forward averaged 17.0 points, 9.2 rebounds and 6.2 assists through the first five games of the season.
The Green Archers are looking to register back-to-back titles under coach Topex Robinson.
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