La Salle star Kevin Quiambao after the Green Archers lost the title to UP Fighting Maroons after Game 3 of the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball Finals. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Kevin Quiambao will be taking his time before pondering his next move after a shattered title repeat dream for La Salle in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament.
The two-time UAAP MVP shed tears after falling short to the University of the Philippines in Finals Game 3, 66-62, in front of a record-breaking 25,248 crowd on Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
With UP defense focused on him Quiambao was limited to a 4-of-11 shooting — 16.7% from the three-point line –to finish with 13 points and four rebounds in possibly his final UAAP game.
READ: UAAP: La Salle star Kevin Quiambao hailed MVP anew
Amid the rumored offer to play in South Korea and turning pro after this season, the La Salle star stressed that nothing is set in stone yet.
“I’ll take a break for now. I think I have until December to rest. I don’t know what’s next, I’ll just rest first,” Quiambao told reporters.
“I don’t want to think about it yet. I just want to rest because I’ve been playing basketball nonstop for eight months
Kevin Quiambao during the seconds between the UP Fighting Maroons and the La Salle GReen Archers in Game 3 of the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball Finals. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Quiambao, who was visibly emotional after the final buzzer sounded, took the blame after losing to UP in the decider.
“I’m so proud of my team. Win or lose, blame it one me. All of this is my fault. I take ownership over everything,” said Quiambao, who saved La Salle’s campaign in Game 2. “I’m so proud because we made it to the finals and reached a deciding Game Three. It’s a surreal feeling for me and the whole team.”
READ: UAAP Finals: Kevin Quiambao emotional as La Salle gets another shot
Even with his future with the Green Archers still up in the air, Quiambao remained proud of his teammates for giving their all this season despite the silver medal finish.
“I just told them that I love them all. As a team leader, I have nothing else to say. We fought hard. We fell a bit short, but they’ll bounce back,” he said. “I’m proud of all my teammates. The hard work they’ve put in since day one is incredible because we’ve been through so much together—during the off-season and throughout the whole season. I just love them all.”
With or without him, Quiambao believes the Green Archers will be a scary squad next year with transferees Kean Baclaan, Jacob Cortez, Mason Amos, and Luis Pablo bolstering their roster.
“Excited ako with what the future holds. Excited ako na nandiyan na si Kean Baclaan, Jacob Cortez, Luis Pablo (at Mason Amos). I don’t know (if kakampi ko pa rin sila) pero for sure they will be scary next season,” Quiambao said.