UAAP: Kevin Quiambao not focusing on rivalry ahead of first Ateneo-La Salle showdown

La Salle’s Kevin Quiambao. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Kevin Quiambao is thrilled to play in his first Ateneo-La Salle rivalry game in the UAAP Season 85 men’s basketball tournament, but he won’t let that excitement get the better of him.

The La Salle rookie battles his school’s fierce rival as the Green Archers and Blue Eagles clash on Sunday, 4 p.m., at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Quiambao said he has learned his mistake from his jittery debut last week, where he went scoreless in the first three quarters before scoring five points in the fourth  to go with four rebounds, and four assists in their 72-69 loss to University of the Philippines last week,

“I’m excited to be part of the rivalry of both schools. I will do my best and follow the system of coach (Derick Pumaren). But I’m not thinking of the rivalry because that’s what affected my game in our first match. Too much excitement caused my poor play,” said Quiambao in Filipino, looking back on his debut where he missed his first 10 shots.

The 21-year-old big man was quick to bounce back in their second game with 11 points and 12 rebounds in La Salle’s first win of the season over University of Santo Tomas last Wednesday at Philsports Arena.

Quiambao is happy to compete against the Blue Eagles, who won their first two games, but their biggest competition is themselves.

“Di ko naman iniisip yung kung ano sila eh. Mas kalaban namin yung sarili namin dito. Kailangan ko lang gawin yung best ko at yung system ni coach para makapag-compete kami,” he said.

(I’m not focusing on them. Our only competition is ourselves. I have to do my best and follow coach to compete.)

The 6-foot-8 forward hopes the Green Archers could sustain their resiliency from their last game as the season goes on.

“(During our last game) each one of us from our team showed resiliency. We hope to show it in our upcoming games,” Quiambao said.