UAAP: La Salle’s Kevin Quiambao shines in grandpa’s death anniversary

La Salle’s Kevin Quiambao. –UAAP PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—La Salle’s Kevin Quiambao balled out with much emotion in their win against University of the East in the UAAP Season 86 men’s basketball tournament.

After the Green Archers’ 83-75 win over the Red Warriors at Quadricentennial Pavilion in UST on Saturday, coach Topex Robinson revealed that Quiambao played with a bit more baggage than he was used to with the death anniversary of his grandfather.

“Kevin came here in this game with so much emotion because it’s his Lolo’s death anniversary. He was even contemplating missing this game because he grew up with his grandparents,” said the top coach.

“He told me prior to the game, ‘coach, ikaw na bahala sa’kin (coach, it’s up to you), I might not really be okay.’  It’s something so attached to him but he just delivered for us.”

Despite the emotions he carried heading into Saturday’s game, Quiambao made sure to commemorate his loved one with a stellar performance that put La Salle to a 4-3 card at the end of the elimination’s first round.

The 6-foot-4 finished just a rebound shy of a triple-double with 17 points, 12 assists and nine boards. He also shot an efficient 46.2 percent shooting clip from the field, sinking six of his 13 shots.

His stellar outing, Robinson said, was a testament to his evolution as a competitor “in and out of the game.”

“Majority of them, Raven (Cortez) and Kevin, really played well together so that’s just a testament to how much Kevin evolved into the player that he is right now. He really is a competitor, in and out of the game.”

Helping Quiambao on offense was Cortez, who finished with a team-high 18 markers to go along with five rebounds.

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