La Salle powered through Season 86, with Kevin Quiambao being an undeniable part of their success.
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In a do-or-die Game 3 at the Araneta Coliseum on December 6, more than 25,000 in-person attendees witnessed the De La Salle Green Archers beat the UP Fighting Maroons for their first UAAP men’s basketball championship win in seven years. In the lead-up to Game 3, both teams were at one win each. But in the end, the Green Archers triumphed against UP with a final score of 73-69.
All season long, La Salle has been a strong team who fought their way to the top. And when it came to Season 86, there’s no denying a major part of their success is Kevin Quiambao. The 22-year-old athlete was not just a star in his team but among this year’s roster of players in UAAP’s latest season. If this really is his last season with La Salle, he deserves to bask in the glory of their win. Here are a few reasons why Kevin owned the court.
HE CAME IN THE SEASON ALREADY DECORATED
When Season 86 began, the hype was real for the Green Archers, and especially Kevin Quiambao, to meet expectations. The baller, who was already a champion and part of the Mythical Five in high school, was fresh off being named Rookie Of The Year in Season 85, where he averaged 11.2 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.1 steals. Being a PBA D League MVP and champion added to his renown. As Season 86 went on, he proved that the hype wasn’t misplaced.
HISTORY WITH THE TRIPLE-DOUBLE
On October 28, after La Salle’s win against NU, Kevin made history as the first player since CJ Cansino in 2018 and the first Green Archer ever to record a triple-double with 17 points, 11 rebounds, and 14 assists with four steals as the sprinkle on top. If that wasn’t enough, he did it again during a game against UE with 17 points, 19 rebounds, and 12 assists while also bagging four steals and two blocks, becoming the first player in UAAP men’s basketball Final Four history to record two triple-doubles in one season.
HE BROKE THE SEASON MVP CURSE
While it’s an honor for any athlete to take home Season MVP, that doesn’t necessarily translate to a win at the finals. In years past, the athlete who was named Season MVP was not part of the team that took home the championship. In other words, there was a curse associated with the title. That is until Kevin Quiambao broke it as not only did he bag Season 86 MVP, but La Salle won the championship.
HE MADE HISTORY WITH HIS SEASON AND FINALS MVP
To be named Season and Finals MVP in the same season is a flex in itself. But winning both titles also gave Kevin historic firsts. The Green Archer, who averaged 14.66 points, 9.33 rebounds, 2.33 assists, and 2.0 blocks in the season, became the first local MVP since 2015. As for the Finals MVP, which he got through a dazzling record of 24 points, nine rebounds, four assists, and two blocks, it made him the first MVP to win a championship for La Salle since 2016. Finally, he became the first player to win both the Season and Finals MVP in the same season since Arwind Santos.
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