De La Salle University superstar Kevin Quiambao after the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball Finals. Photo by Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News.MANILA — Kevin Quiambao fell short of steering his team to back-to-back UAAP men’s basketball championships.

The Green Archers superstar did all he could to lift his team to glory, but they faltered against the University of the Philippines, 66-62 in Game 3 of the Season 87 Finals on Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum.

“I’m so proud of my team,” said the 6-foot-6, Muntinlupa native who tallied 13 points (4/11 FGs), together with four rebounds in over 30 minutes of action.

The Taft-based cagers stormed back from down 54-40 in the second half and tied the game at 56 after a three-pointer by Kevin Quiambao early in the fourth period, but their comeback was cut short when he was put out of the game to take some rest before crunch time.

READ: UP reigns over La Salle for UAAP championship glory

Quiambao was then benched for over four minutes, leaving La Salle without a legitimate playmaker in that span. But the versatile forward stressed that there were no regrets despite that decision by head coach Topex Robinson.

“What if? Wala naman, tiwala naman ako kay Coach Topex ever since day one,” said Quiambao. “Medyo nagkaroon lang ng ano nung doon sa inupo ako, kasi akala ko one minute lang, sinabihan ako na isang minuto lang.”  

“Pero wala namang problema sa akin. Kinapos talaga ako talo,” he added, while taking full responsibility for their inability to defend their crown

“Win or lose, blame is on me,” he emphasized. “Ako may kasalanan ng lahat ng 'yon. I take ownership sa lahat ng ginawa ko. Pero sobrang proud ako na nakarating kami ng Finals, decider Game 3. It was a surreal feeling for me. Pati sa buong team na yun nga, medyo kinapos pero babawi sila.”

And speaking of Quiambao’s teammates, the two-time league MVP expressed nothing but love for the Green Archers who helped him transform his game to where it is at present.

“Sabi ko lang na mahal ko sila,” he expressed. “As a leader, isa sa leaders sa team namin, wala akong masabi. We fought hard. I’m proud of my teammates. Yung hard work nila since day one, grabe, tapos sobrang dami naming pinagsamahan throughout the whole season. Basta mahal ko sila lahat.”

He also raved about the future of their program, especially with Mason Amos, Jacob Cortez, Luis Pablo, and Kean Baclaan being finally eligible to play for La Salle in Season 88.

“Excited ako doon sa future, excited ako na nandyan na sila,” KQ said.

Unfortunately for the Lasallians, Quiambao was non-committal when asked if he would be joining their quest for redemption in Season 88.

“I don’t know [kung magiging magkakampi kami,] but for sure they will be scary next season,” he said.

“For me, magpapahinga muna ako ngayon. Until this December, pahinga muna ako then, I don’t know what’s next. Hindi ko alam. For now, ayoko muna isipin.”

“Pahinga muna talaga ako kasi eight months akong nagba-basketball tuluy-tuloy, straight,” he added when asked about his reported move to play professionally in the Korean Basketball League.

RELATED VIDEO: