Kevin Quiambao delivered exactly what was expected of him as he fully embraced his new role in La Salle’s title defense campaign in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament. 

The reigning MVP knew what was coming when he decided to run it back with the Green Archers for his third year where he was likely to handle most of the playmaking chores in the departure of their crafty former guards Mark Nonoy, Evan Nelle and Francis Escandor. 

La Salle launched its bid for back-to-back titles in a tightly-contested victory over National University, 78-75, with Quiambao hitting the game-winning triple to keep the final count in favor of their side. 

There, Quiambao flirted with a triple-double performance as he either scored when it mattered most or assisted to create big shots, finishing with a game-high 22 points, eight rebounds and seven assists. A performance highlighted by the last nine points he made all on his own in La Salle’s 14-4 finishing kick in the face of a late-game deficit. 

“As soon as nag-champion kami alam ko na kung babalik ako sa La Salle that time may malaking shoes to fill for me. Nung nag-decide ako to run it back, in-explain naman sa akin ni coach Topex [Robinson] na kung gusto ko mag-explore maging point guard [I said] willing ako to risk it. Risk it all,” Quiambao told select members of the press. 

“Sinabi ko na kay coach Topex na kahit anong ipagawa niya sa akin gagawin ko dahil mahal ko ‘yung La Salle, ‘yung environment, ‘yung culture,” he added. 

But nothing great ever comes easy as Quiambao diligently worked hard to reach his finest form to lift La Salle to the top of the early standings alongside UP, UST and Adamson in the first week of action. 

"‘Yung confidence naman nagmumula sa ensayo. ‘Yung tinitira mo sa game, ‘yun ang lagi mong ginagawa everyday sa practice. ‘Yung instincts lang na kailangan play of each other and kailangan mag nagte-take over dahil struggling kami buong game," Quiambao said. 

"Lahat ng teams gagawin ‘yung best nila matalo lang kami pero gagawan namin ng paraan," he continued. 

From Rookie of the Year to emerging as the league’s best player in his historic sophomore year, Quiambao has been redefining what is possible as a leader no matter how many added responsibilities he has to take on.

“Nandiyan naman ‘yung ibang point guards namin but nandito lang ako para i-guide sila at maging kuya sa kanila dahil isa na ako sa mga veterans ang trabaho ko lang ay padaliin ‘yung buhay nilang lahat,” he concluded.