Despite leading the MVP race after the first round of the UAAP Season 86 Men’s Basketball Tournament, Kevin Quiambao remains focused on the bigger trophies for De La Salle University.
The second-year point-forward tallied numbers of 16.86 points, 9.57 rebounds, 5.14 assists, and 1.14 steals in seven games in the first round while helping the Green Archers secure the fourth spot with a 4-3 record.
With a plus-64 during his minutes on the floor, Quiambao’s performance catapulted him to the top of the MVP race ladder with 84.714 statistical points.
Reigning MVP Malick Diouf is a close second with 78.143 SP, while La Salle guard Evan Nelle sits at third with 74.167 SP.
Noy Remogat of UE (73.714 SP) and L-Jay Gonzales (66.429 SP) round out the top five.
“Syempre, I feel honored and blessed to be at number 1,” said Quiambao after opening the second round with a 100-69 win over University of Santo Tomas on Wednesday.
“Pero tulad nga ng sinabi ni Coach Topex (Robinson) before the game, masarap magkaroon ng pangalan doon, pero ang main focus namin ay ang kampeonato at ang mga challenges sa harap namin. Kailangan lang naming itake advantage,” continued the Season 85 Rookie of the Year.
The do-it-all forward from Muntinlupa also credited his teammates and coaches for his improved play and confidence in the first round.
The Green Archers, with the arrival of new head coach Topex Robinson, were considered one of the favorites to win the title before the season began.
“So far, lahat ng statistics ko ay galing sa sistema ni Coach Topex, kay Coach Caloy (Garcia), at sa lahat ng kanilang staff,” said the 6-foot-8 flashy forward.
“Sinusuklian ko lang din ang tiwala na ibinibigay nila sa akin. Bigger role ako ngayong taon, kaya kailangan kong punan ito at mag-step up pa.”
Quiambao is in line to be the first local player to win the Season MVP award since Kiefer Ravena achieved back-to-back crowns in Seasons 77 and 78.
Since then, foreign student-athletes have secured the top individual award, beginning with La Salle’s Ben Mbala (79 and 80), UP’s Bright Akhuetie (81), UST’s Soulemane Chabi Yo (82), Ateneo’s Ange Kouame (84), and Diouf.
