Kevin Quiambao had only just returned to the country for a day when he, along with the rest of the nation, received some exciting news last Saturday: his former De La Salle University teammate, Mike Phillips, was granted local status by FIBA.
Having shared the court with Phillips from UAAP Seasons 85 to 87, Quiambao knows exactly what the 6-foot-8 bruiser — affectionately known as “Motor Mike” — brings to any team.
“I think it was a very, very big and great help sa program ng Gilas, especially nakasama ko siya sa La Salle. I know kung gaano niya matutulungan yung team at alam ko kung paano niya ibibigay yung best niya every time,” Quiambao told Tiebreaker Times.
“He’s always 100-percent — hindi nga 100-percent, 1,000-percent lagi yan pag naglalaro sa basketball court. Yung energy at yung hustle niya, I’m so excited.”
During their time together at La Salle, the Green Archers made two finals appearances, capturing the UAAP Season 86 crown, with Quiambao earning both the regular season and Finals MVP honors.
That period also saw both players called up to separate Gilas squads — Quiambao as part of the regular pool and Phillips in the team that won gold at the 32nd Southeast Asian Games.
Though they never got the chance to play together for the national team, their minds were always on the possibility.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“Nung nasa La Salle ako, hindi kami nabigyan ng chance na magkampi sa Gilas. Siya, naging eligible sa SEA Games at ako sa FIBA. That time, hindi kami nagkakausap about Gilas kasi focus kami nun to get the championship sa La Salle,” Quiambao recalled.
“Yung dream ko rin sa sarili ko na makakampi siya sa Gilas, siguro matutupad naman sa next window sa July. Sana, sana.”
For now, however, Quiambao’s focus is firmly on the task at hand: Window 2 of the FIBA World Cup 2027 Qualifiers.
The Philippines faces New Zealand on Thursday and Australia on Sunday, both on home soil.
Over the past year, the 6-foot-7 all-around forward has emerged as a key piece in Tim Cone’s Gilas squad. During the Asia Cup proper, he averaged 12.0 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game.
In the last window, he posted 9.5 points, 4.0 assists, and 2.5 rebounds across two games against Guam.
Quiambao is well aware of the expectations on him for the games against the two powerhouses from Oceania.
“Gusto ko lagi na may parang pressure sa sarili ko, kasi doon mo maabot yung pinaka-top level ng game mo,” said the 24-year-old Asian import of Goyang Sono.
“Pero challenge siguro is how to keep up kung ano yung ginagawa ko sa Gilas. And as a young guy, magiging sponge lang ako kung ano yung male-learn ko sa veterans namin.”
With reports by Icko de Guzman
