La Salle Green Archers’ Kevin Quiambao through the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament game against UE Red Warriors. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines— Kevin Quiambao’s emotions were at an all-time high in La Salle’s first lack of the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament by the hands of University of the East.
Quimabao buckled down at the tip game, determined to forestall the Red Warriors from blemishing Green Archers’ undefeated record.
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That, after all, didn’t occur as UE pulled off a stunner against the defending champions, 75-71, to enhance to a 2-2 card and send the Green Archers to No. 2 at 3-1.
SCHEDULE: UAAP Season 87 basketball
But those emotions that sometimes fuel Quiambao also got the higher of him.
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The reigning UAAP MVP, already with nine points, was called for a foul with 4:41 to go within the third period. Quiambao reacted by shouting on the officials questioning the decision, which got him a warning.
Quiambao was about to blow up further, but coach Topex Robinson stepped in to calm down his team’s star big man.
READ: UAAP: UE gets hot, delivers La Salle’s first loss in men’s basketball
“That just makes Kevin human. Sometimes he’ll lose it but we have now a balance. Once I’m uncontrolled, he’s the one who tries to pacify me,” said Robinson.
“Now I’m on the opposite side, I’m more accountable for my emotions so I reminded him, we still have a full quarter to play and we just had to maneuver forward.”
La Salle coach Topex Robinson. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Despite La Salle’s narrow loss, Quiambao ended up with 17 points, nine rebounds and five assists.
Quiambao did all of it, after which some, but missed two crucial free throws with 15.8 seconds left before John Abate’s two freebies sealed the win for UE.
READ: UAAP: Quiambao says La Salle culture plays heavy role in early success
“I told him, it’s what it’s,” said Robinson.
“There’ll be a time when he’ll take big shots and make some but that is the time when he misses it. What’s necessary for us is we’ll all the time try to guard one another. We’re all the time going to be a united front.”
Robinson and Quiambao’s tandem looks to power La Salle back to the win column on Wednesday after they face Far Eastern University, which remains to be winless after 4 games.
