UAAP: La Salle’s strong bond, togetherness evident in latest win

La Salle’s Kevin Quiambao and coach Topex Robinson share a moment during the Green Archers’ victory over Ateneo in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — La Salle star Kevin Quiambao had a moment with his coach Topex Robinson in the second quarter of the Green Archers’ rout of Ateneo in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament on Sunday.

After committing a passing turnover, Quiambao was called out by Robinson, who told him that he should’ve taken the shot instead of passing it.

“May sequence na na-turnover ako dahil nakita ko si Henry Agunnane na nagri-rim run, so sabi sakin ni coach Topex, ‘bakit mo binabato kung saan-saan yung bola? Mas okay na itira mo.'” Quiambao said.

SCHEDULE: UAAP Season 87 basketball

Quiambao on his moment with coach Topex in the second quarter. #UAAPSeason87 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/5leX6wPotN

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Quiambao then made a lob to Raven Gonzales, who converted a layup. In the next offensive sequence, Quiambao followed what Robinson said and pulled up from way downtown after bringing down the ball that extended La Salle’s lead to 36-25 with 4:22 left in the first half.

The reigning MVP went straight to Robinson and the two hugged each other. The moment was one of the highlights of La Salle’s dominant 74-61 win over rival Ateneo in front of 12,478 fans at Mall of Asia Arena. It also showed just how close the Archers are to each other especially after their championship run last season.

“Nung shumoot, tinignan ko kaagad si coach tapos sabi ko ano sisisihin mo pa ulit ako? Na-shoot ko na.” quipped Quiambao. “Yung mga moment na yun yung ine-enjoy ko, kasi every game, may mga moment ka na kailangan mong i-treasure. Mahalaga para sa akin na player na may ganung relationship sa coach and nagagawa namin yung gusto namin sa court.”

“Yung freedom na makapaglaro ka ng free-flow offense namin, yung defense namin, lahat-lahat, sobrang laking bagay ng relationship ng bawat isa,“ he added.

Robinson couldn’t stop raving about Quiambao’s brilliance as the versatile forward dazzled anew with 13 points, 13 rebounds, and seven assists.

READ: UAAP: La Salle remains unbeaten, sends Ateneo to 0-3 start

“Sabi niya kahit malayo ititra ko ha, sabi ko itira mo which he did, sabi ko nga tama pa rin ako kasi tinira niya na-shoot niya. That’s what we were joking about but again, for this guy right here, he’s always gonna make you look good that’s the blessing of having a KQ and Mike (Phillips),” Robinson said.

“A lot of times we just try to remind each other, this guy always reminds me if I’m getting so emotional, this guy reminds me also if I’m losing it so we always try to help each other out because we get lost especially me and it’s really nice to have that kind of relationship with these guys wherein we kinda flattened the hierarchy that I’m not the head coach, I just happen to have the title but it’s everybody,” Robinson said.

Robinson credited their strong bond to his coaching staff for keeping his players together which has been one of the reasons why the Archers have zoomed to a 3-0 start in their title defense.

“It’s personal with coach Mon Jose, we also wanna give credit to those guys and that’s really the key to us is we work together as a team. We always use us, ours, and we. That’s really the key to this,” said the La Salle coach.

Despite being undefeated so far, Quiambao stressed that they still have a lot to work on ahead of their game against University of the East on Sunday.

“So far, lahat sa amin, marami pang pagkukulang, especially me, marami pa akong pagkukulang dahil bago nga lang ako sa leadership role. Pero kailangan lang namin na gawin namin yung best namin and control yung mako-control namin,” Quiambao said. “Enjoy lang sa moment dahil once in a lifetime lang tong UAAP, so every possession, every moment, bigay mo best mo.”