KQ to pursue degree

MANILA, Philippines — Two-time UAAP MVP Kevin Quiambao will stay enrolled at De La Salle University to finish his course in Sports Management while playing for the Goyang Sono Skygunners in the Korean Basketball League. He has asked La Salle’s Office of Sports Development (OSD) if his scholarship could be continued in pursuing his studies online or homeschooling.

Quiambao, 23, has spoken with OSD executive director Dina Bernardo about his academic plans. He said there has been a delay in issuing his Korean visa and his expected departure is on Jan. 6. Quiambao noted that his first game with Goyang will be against either KCC Egis on Jan. 11 or Mobis Phoebus on Jan. 15. If his debut will be on Jan. 11, Quiambao will play 27 games until the end of the KBL regular season on April 8.

At the moment, Goyang is No. 8 of 10 in the KBL standings with an 8-15 record. Coach Byong Chul Kim’s top scorers are former NBA player 6-8 Alan Williams (17.9 points per game), 6-2 Lee Jeong Hyeon (16.6) and 5-11 Lee Jae Do (14.2). There are 22 players in the Skygunners roster with Williams, 6-10 French Guinean Alpha Kaba, 6-9 DJ Burns of North Carolina State and 6-7 former NBA player Jarnell Stokes as alternating imports. KBL rules allow only one import on the court at a time but two may be in the lineup.

Alex Cabagnot and Joshua Torralba were Asian heritage imports who previously suited up for Goyang. A Filipino may be classified as an Asian heritage import if both parents are Filipino. A Fil-foreigner with mixed parentage is not eligible. Filipinos now playing in Korea are Ethan Alvano, SJ Belangel, Carl Tamayo, Migs Oczon, Justin Gutang, Calvin Epistola and Juan and Javi Gomez de Liaño. JD Cagulangan has also signed to play in Korea with Suwon KT Sonicboom.