Kevin Quiambao is set to join Gilas Pilipinas in the 2nd Doha International Cup in Qatar next month now that he has returned to action from an ankle injury.
No less than head coach Tim Cone shared the development as the former two-time UAAP MVP reaffirmed his commitment to the national team, with him healthy anew after getting hurt in the Korean Basketball League (KBL).
“Kevin’s fine. We spoke to him. He’ll be with us in Doha on the trip,” the veteran internationalist said Wednesday night shortly after Ginebra beat Meralco, 91-87, in PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup action at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
Quiambao went down in pain during his KBL debut with Goyang Sono last January 13, when he landed on the foot of Oh Se-keun following a three-point attempt during the second quarter of their matchup versus Seoul SK.
The Skygunners eventually absorbed an 84-57 beatdown at the hands of the Knights, as the 6-foot-5 forward got reduced to a spectator.
He was listed out for two weeks and returned January 28, delivering 14 points, five rebounds, and four assists but Goyang bowed to Anyang, 94-69.
Still, it sure was good news that Quiambao’s back competing from a sprain — not just for his ball club but for a Gilas team left with a gaping hole.
With him coming back, ‘KQ’ should help keep the Nationals’ frontline competitive despite the absence of Kai Sotto, who’s out for a long while after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament of his left knee in the B.League earlier this month.
The 7-foot-3 slotman of the Koshigaya Alphas is scheduled to undergo surgery during the first week of February, according to Cone.
As it stands, Gilas’ big men consist of Quiambao, AJ Edu, Mason Amos, Carl Tamayo, the returning Troy Rosario, and veteran Japeth Aguilar although he won’t be able to join the Doha trip because of family-related matters.
The pocket tournament in the Qatari capital, set February 14-16, is part of their buildup toward the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 on August in Saudi Arabia.
