Kevin Quiambao (middle, photo above) relishes the chance to play with NBA-caliber talent. —AUGUST DELA CRUZ
Kevin Quiambao has the rare chance to play with NBA caliber talents as Strong Group Athletics (SGA) represents the Philippines in the 33rd Dubai International Basketball Championship.
The reigning UAAP Most Valuable Player (MVP) gets to play alongside former NBA standouts Dwight Howard, Andre Roberson and former Gilas import Andray Blatche—and he won’t waste the golden opportunity.
“At first, I couldn’t explain the feeling [of playing with ex-NBA players]. I thought I was just dreaming playing with them,” Quiambao said in Filipino as SGA gears up before planing in to Dubai on Jan. 17.
“I was just watching them [on TV] before, now I am playing with them and whatever I can learn from them, I’ll just take advantage of it,” added the La Salle sophomore who also has a dream of his own of somehow playing in the NBA.
“Dreaming to be an NBA player, there is nothing wrong with that. But whatever situation I am in right now, I’ll just take advantage of that and I’ll focus first with La Salle and Strong Group.”
Quiambao has stepped up as the La Salle program’s cornerstone and helped the Green Archers end a UAAP title drought last year.
Deciding to stay at least another year with the Taft-based squad, the do-it-all forward will try to soak up new learnings directly from those who have played on the world’s biggest league and carry it over when he leads La Salle once again in Season 87.
“This is such a huge deal, because this (tournament) is a major exposure. I have been learning a lot from them (ex-NBA players) in just four days and I will bring those [with me] in the future,” he said.
“The NBA players are just on a different level. If you watch them on TV you think that what they are doing is just easy,” Quiambao shared. “But when you step with them on the court, you will see how everyone’s movements are so detailed, technically they have everything covered so I am so happy to be with them.”
The former Rookie of the Year is also joined by his collegiate mentor and La Salle head coach Topex Robinson as well as Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League MVP Justine Baltazar, whom he was not able to play alongside in the UAAP but is happy to finally share the floor with.
Despite being backstopped by very capable cagers, Quiambao will take a cautious approach going to the Dubai tournament.
“I am confident with the team, but we cannot be overconfident because our opponents are also strong. We need to up our strengths and improve on our weaknesses because we will be playing in an international competition,” he said. INQ