De La Salle University superstar Kevin Quiambao. Photo from Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News.
MANILA – Kevin Quiambao is confident that his stints in games outside of the UAAP have no negative impact on his performances for the De La Salle Green Archers.
The reigning UAAP Most Valuable Player freely admits to playing in "ligang labas," or games not sanctioned by the UAAP. For Quiambao, this is a matter of fulfilling his responsibilities outside of La Salle.
"For my family, ginawa ko lang yun," shared Quiambao following their statement win over the University of the Philippines (UP) on Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum.
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Multiple reports surfaced regarding Quiambao’s participation in the aforementioned leagues, and there were even claims that he is getting P150,000 to P200,000 to play in those games.
"Pero yung ganung kalaking halaga, hindi totoo yun — never, never. Kasi hindi naman ako tumatanggap na ganung kalaking halaga kasi utang na loob ko yun sa Vista Laiya," said the Muntinlupa native of the backer of his ligang labas team.
"Malapit sila sa akin, tiga Las Piñas sila and malapit yung Las Piñas sa Alabang, and bata pa lang ako, inalagaan na nila ako eh," he explained.
He also assured that his stint there has the blessing of the La Salle management.
De La Salle University superstar Kevin Quiambao. Photo from Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News.
"Lahat. Lahat ng galaw ko pinapaalam ko sa management, kay Coach Topex [Robinson]. May basbas naman nila yun, basta ingatan ko lang yung sarili ko. Kumbaga [sabi nila]: 'Kung anong gusto mong gawin sa buhay mo, gawin mo lang. Basta yung team nakasalalay sa lahat ng gagawin mo,'" he said.
Quiambao has received flak on social media after his appearance in a ligang labas game last November 2, which he followed up with a subpar performance in the UAAP -- an eight-point outing in their 58-53 win last November 6 against Far Eastern University, where he shot just 2-of-17 from the field.
For Quiambao, however, those comments mean zero for him.
"Hindi naman natin maco-control kung ano yung sinasabi nila sa akin, yung emotions nila sa akin," he pointed out. "But ang kontrolado ko lang kung ano yung pwede ko gawin."
"Keyboard warrior lang yan eh, wala naman akong mapapala diyan, so pag nakikita ko sila, added motivation ko lang yun na kailangan ko mag strive for more. "
He indeed used that as motivation as he was La Salle's main weapon against the Fighting Maroons anew, posting a team-high 15 points with five rebounds, three assists, and a steal.