MANILA, Philippines – After months of speculation, two-time UAAP Most Valuable Player Kevin Quiambao bid farewell to the UAAP, ending his collegiate career to play professionally in the Korean Basketball League, the La Salle superstar announced on Monday, December 16.
Quiambao — the UAAP’s first local men’s basketball MVP since 2015 and the first back-to-back winner since Ben Mbala in 2016-2017 — will play for the Goyang Sono SkyGunners, as earlier reported by Rappler.
“My college career comes to an end, I will pursue my NBA dream and start my journey by playing professional ball in Goyang Sono SkyGunners and developing my game even more,” Quiambao said in a social media post.
His announcement came a day after the Green Archers fell short of defending their UAAP crown, yielding to perennial finalist UP Fighting Maroons in three grueling games on Sunday, December 15.
Quiambao led the league in scoring at 16.7 points, and also averaged 8.2 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 1.0 steal.
He was held to 13 points on 4-of-11 shooting in Game 3 as UP claimed the crown with a 66-62 decision, but made a mark in the series when he willed La Salle to a heart-stopping 76-75 escape, highlighted by a pair of clutch three-pointers.
The Muntinlupa native played a total of three seasons for La Salle, winning two MVPs, one Finals MVP, and one championship among many other accolades.
“We just thank him for his service, it is what it is… this is not a surprise that this will be his final season, and we prepared well for this,” said La Salle coach Topex Robinson.
“He just gave us [his all] until the final buzzer, he never gave up, and he’ll be remembered as one of the great Lasallians, one of the best to ever wore that jersey.”
Set to step up in Quiambao’s absence include fellow Gilas Pilipinas mainstay and stretch big Mason Amos, as well as transferees Jacob Cortez and Kean Baclaan.
Robinson also expects to see the development of young guns Andrei Dungo, Vhoris Marasigan, and foreign student-athlete Henry Agunnane. – Rappler.com
