There’s a reason Kevin Quiambao keeps showing up at ligang labas games, running on cement courts under flickering streetlights.
For Quiambao, these games aren’t just side gigs — they’re his way of giving back.
He wants to remind kids that greatness can come from the same cracked courts they play on. It’s never been about the spotlight; it’s about showing them that someone who made it never forgot where it all started.
That same passion and dedication to uplifting the youth played a major role in his latest milestone with adidas.
On Wednesday night, Quiambao made history as the first Filipino athlete to receive a Player Edition sneaker with the global brand — the adizero Select 3.0 “KQ63” — crafted in collaboration with world-renowned toy designer and artist Quiccs Maiquez.
“Personally, sobrang laking boost niya sa akin,” said the 24-year-old forward, who currently suits up for the Goyang Sono Skygunners in the Korean Basketball League.
“I’m very, very thankful sa Adidas PH for making this happen. Hopefully, marami pa kaming collaboration in the works. I’m very, very happy na meron akong ganito, gumawa kami ng history ni kuya Quiccs,” he added.
A proud product of De La Salle University, Quiambao worked closely with Quiccs on the shoe’s design. His only request? That it come in vibrant neon pink — a symbol of the bright future he envisions for young Filipino ballers striving to make their mark.
(c) adidas PH
“Yung nag-iisang request ni Kevin Quiambao was to make it neon pink. So I think that’s his favorite color. I also noticed in the NBA, a lot of players like neon pink and other neon colors. I think it’s a very useful color,” shared Quiccs, who previously teamed up with Los Angeles Clippers star James Harden on the Harden Volume 5 “Manila Heritage” in 2021.
“I don’t want to take the words out of KQ’s mouth, but I believe he said something like it represents the bright future of the Filipino youth. We all know si Kevin Quiambao, he puts a lot of importance in inspiring the youth,” he continued.
“Kaya rin siya ano eh, besides sa professional leagues, he loves playing in the minor leagues and sa streets kasi he wants to inspire the young basketball players to become like him din, na there’s a global stage waiting for them if they play well.”
The sneaker has already made waves on the NBA hardwood, as Filipino-American Houston Rockets star Jalen Green proudly rocked the adizero Select 3.0 “KQ63” during Filipino Heritage Night in a regular-season game against the Utah Jazz.
For both Quiambao and Quiccs, seeing the sneaker take center stage in the NBA — especially on a night celebrating Filipino culture — was a surreal and deeply meaningful moment, not just for themselves but for the entire Filipino basketball community.
Now that his signature shoe has reached the NBA, Quiambao hopes to follow suit as he sets his sights on his own NBA dreams. His journey officially begins next week — a step he hopes will continue to inspire kids chasing the same dream.
“For me, to be honest, nakita ko siya tapos na ‘yung game. Late ako ng gising nung time na ‘yun. Thanks naman sa Adidas PH na hineads up kami for that game na Filipino Heritage Night,” said the Gilas standout.
“So it’s a big boost of confidence for me, ni-rock ni Jalen Green ‘yun. Hopefully, i-rock ko rin siya sa NBA.”
