La Salle’s Kevin Quiambao. Photo from FilOil EcoOil Sports.MANILA — Much like last year, De La Salle University saw itself on the losing end of the FilOil EcoOil Preseason Cup Finals against the University of the Philippines.

In this year’s edition of the preseason meet, the Green Archers, who were once up by 20 points against the Fighting Maroons, saw their lead erased after a ferocious comeback by UP in the second half.

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La Salle superstar Kevin Quiambao offered no excuses and said that the better team just showed up in the last 20 minutes of the championship game. 

“I think maganda naman yung kinalabasan namin throughout the [tournament],” said KQ, who was hailed as the 17th FilOil Preseason Cup Most Valuable Player.

“Maraming breaks of the game nitong second half of the finals. Pero hindi namin kailangan i-reason out yun, na nag-collapse kami.” 

“Kailangan lang namin maging better pa sa mga ipapakita namin. So, itong pahinga namin, these coming months, yung chemistry namin aayusin namin. Thankful pa rin kami na may nakuha kami and may natutunan kami,” he continued.

’REALITY CHECK’

The Muntinlupa native added that despite losing the championship, he WAS glad that the defeat came as early as now and that they would have more time to adjust and prepare for what actually matters the most to them — getting their second straight UAAP men’s basketball title. 

“Wala namang [particular preparations for UP]. Kailangan lang namin maging mas solid pa. Kailangan rin namin maging better sa lahat ng aspects ng game, and thankful kami na may nakuha kami sa larong to,” explained Quiambao.

“Yung init naman ng championship nandoon pa rin sa amin. Kailangan lang namin i-figure out kung anong kailangan namin. Good thing na maaga pa, na-reality check kami. These coming months puspos sa training namin,” he added. 

La Salle will be dealing with the departure of some of their top aces in Evan Nelle and Ef Escandor, and for Kevin, it will be a matter of stepping up to the plate and living up to become the leader of the team. 

“Kung ano yung kinalabasan last season, hihigitan pa namin one game at a time. Maraming nawala sa amin, so kailangan namin punan yung roles ng nawalang veteran players sa team namin,” said the Season 86 MVP. 

“Nagkaroon lang ako ng mas bigger role. Kailangan ko rin mag-step up palagi and mag-lead by example sa lahat ng kakampi ko.”

Quiambao noted that DLSU head coach Topex Robinson is urging the rest of the Taft-based hoopers to also take on the challenge of leading La Salle. 

“Sa totoo lang hindi lang ako yung magle-lead ng team,” said KQ. “Lahat kami. Laging sinasabi nila coach Topex 16-strong kami sa team, and yung veteran leadership na nawala sa amin kailangan lang naming punan yun.”

“Sa mga rookies naman, sobrang ganda naman ng pinapakita nila, kailangan lang mas mabuo pa ‘yung chemistry namin,” he continued.

For now, his focus is on Gilas Pilipinas as the 6-foot-6 star will be donning National colors in the upcoming FIBA FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in July.

“For me, sobrang hard ng schedule. One week lang akong out and then diresto Gilas na nga. After ng Gilas, hindi ko na alam kung kaya pa ng katawan ko.” 

“Pero yun nga, naka-program naman lahat to sa mga strength and conditioning namin. Thankful ako sa opportunity na binibigay ng Gilas sa akin. Every time naman na may call-up, one hundred percent na ready ako,” he ended.