Quiambao locked in on ultimate prize

MANILA, Philippines — If there were still doubts on his stature as the country’s best collegiate player today, La Salle ace Kevin Quiambao quashed all of those with a performance for the books in Game 2 of the heated UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball finals.

Quiambao reminded everyone of his prowess, firing 11 of his 22 points in the fourth quarter as the Archers lived to fight another day and forced a winner-take-all Game 3 with a pulsating 76-75 come-from-behind triumph witnessed by more than 17,000 fans at the MOA Arena.

It was a sweet redemption for Quiambao, who bled for just one point without a field goal made in the second half of La Salle’s 73-65 loss in Game 1 after rifling in 18 in the first half.

His biggest basket was a contested triple atop the key in front of UP Game 1 hero Quentin Millora-Brown to give La Salle its first lead in the second half, 74-73, after trailing by as many as seven at 66-73 in the final minutes.

“It’s all about kung sinong may gusto ng game. It’s all about mental toughness. Sobrang emotional ko kasi pinagpuyatan ko ‘to. Tinama ko lang ‘yung mga pagkakamali noong Game 1,” said Quiambao, admitting sleepless nights on the heels of a tough Game 1 defeat after controlling majority of the match.

Quiambao came through with his timely eruption sweetening his coronation as the back-to-back UAAP Most Valuable Player.

The Gilas Pilipinas forward was the fifth Archer to win consecutive MVPs and 12th overall in UAAP history behind norms of 16.6 points, 8.6 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.0 blocks for 81.357 SPs.

In the finals, Quiambao is averaging 20.5 points, 10.0 rebounds and 1.5 assists, and he’s raring to get going as the Archers aim for their second straight crown on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“Sobrang special na makakuha ng ganitong award. Pinaghirapan ko ito pero ‘di lang para sa akin ‘to kung hindi sa buong La Salle. Hindi ko naman makukuha yung MVP kung hindi dahil sa kanila,” he said.

Meanwhile, Ateneo’s Kacey dela Rosa captured her second straight women’s MVP award as Santo Tomas’ Kent Pastrana, Louna Ozar of UP, Sarah Makanjuola of Ateneo, and NU’s Angel Surada completed the Mythical Five.