MANILA, Philippines — Mataas ang respeto ni Ateneo de Manila University head coach Tab Baldwin kay De La Salle University ace at reigning UAAP Most Valuable Player Kevin Quiambao.
Pinuri ni Baldwin ang matikas na inilalaro ni Quiambao para sa La Salle.
Si Quiambao ang sinasandalan ng Green Archers sa kampanya nito sa season na ito upang makuha ang solidong 3-0 start sa season.
Kasama sa naturang panalo ang 74-61 pananaig ng Green Archers sa Blue Eagles noong Linggo sa UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament sa Mall of Asia Arena sa Pasay City.
“When you play a box-and-one on somebody, that’s one of the highest signs of respect that they can get, and we were happy with it. We felt he shot 28 percent in the game, we felt we gave him a lot of problems, but he did those extra things, rebounding and finding his teammates,” ani Baldwin.
Nagtala si Quiambao ng 13 points, 13 rebounds, pitong assists at dalawang steals laban sa Blue Eagles.
“That’s what a really good player does when their opponent tries to take them out of the game. So full credit to Kevin, he’s nothing but a real force in the UAAP, and he’s somebody that every team has to be especially prepared for,” ani Baldwin.
Kahanay na ni Quiambao ang ilan sa matitikas na UAAP players gaya nina Carl Tamayo, Thirdy Ravena at Justine Baltazar.