Quiambao raring to prove worth among Gilas prospects

Gilas Pilipinas’ Kevin Quiambao. –FIBA BASKETBALL

Kevin Quiambao has been a revelation for the national cage program on the world stage.

He is poised to get more breaks following his inclusion by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) in the initial pool for the Fiba World Cup that the Philippines will be cohosting next year.

“I’m grateful that Gilas gave me a chance. For me, I’m simply focusing on what I have,” he said on Friday, on the heels of an all-around job that powered EcoOil-La Salle past Adalem Construction-St. Clare, 89-74, in the 2022 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup semifinals.

Quiambao, who has yet to debut for the Green Archers in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines, finished with 18 points, six rebounds, three assists spiked with a steal and four blocks, picking up where he left off in the Fiba Asia Cup in Jakarta.

The 21-year-old big man averaged 6.5 points, four rebounds, and 4.8 assists for the Nationals in the continental showcase last month. His finest outing was against tormentor New Zealand, where he put up 14 points, four rebounds, and three assists in 25 minutes.

Quiambao said he is thrilled to be in consideration for the Gilas squad that will see action in the second round of the World Cup Asian Qualifiers—a squad that is set to be bannered by Utah Jazz star Jordan Clarkson, and 7-foot-3 beanpole and Australia campaigner Kai Sotto.

Playmaking ability

“I’m going to be with Jordan Clarkson and Kai. That’s a boost to my confidence to play [well] here at La Salle,” he said.

“My game—I’ll raise it even more.”And he should. That bunch, after all, is shaping up as a snapshot of who is going to be tapped for the global meet which will pit this basketball-crazed nation’s finest cagers against the best on the planet.

Quiambao is someone the national cage program is looking to polish even more. National coach Chot Reyes and Gilas cornerstone Thirdy Ravena, during one of those games in the continental showcase, heaped praises on the undersized forward who wowed fans with his playmaking ability.

“Being with a guy like him inside the court makes life so much easier. You know, distributing the ball from a big man’s position is a little bit rare in our game nowadays,” Ravena said. “Just proud of how he’s brought his strength from when he was in high school … to international level,” he added.

“We always wanted to get a chance to test Kevin if there were other guys who weren’t available like (Justine) Baltazar, right? Fortunately, that’s an opportunity for Kevin to come up. I know that he’s a surprise to a lot, but he has always been under the radar of the Gilas coaching staff,” said Reyes.