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Despite short prep time, Strong Group's chemistry not a problem for Kevin Quiambao, Jerom Lastimosa


De La Salle University's Kevin Quiambao was the latest addition to the Strong Group lineup which will compete in the 32nd Dubai International Basketball Championship starting Friday night.

Quiambao, who replaced Ange Kouame after the naturalized big man contracted dengue, joined the team on Wednesday, a day before the team left for the United Arab Emirates.

 

 

"Sobrang nagulat din ako dahil kahapon (Tuesday) lang din ako tinawagan," Quiambao told GMA Integrated News on Wednesday.

("I was really surprised because they only called me yesterday.")

Despite the late call-up, the La Salle big man said team chemistry will be easily formed.

"Wala namang problema sa chemistry, madali makuha 'yun, lalo mga kasama ko mga ex-NBA player, sobrang bait nila, alam nila takbo ng game, willing ako matuto sa kanila," said Quiambao.

("Chemistry won't be a problem because that's easy to build, especially we have some ex-NBA players with us. They're so friendly, they know how the game works, and I'm willing to learn from them.")

Adamson University's Jerom Lastimosa, meanwhile, also said they have been building team chemistry in training for the last few weeks.

"Sa ngayon, unti-unti na naming nabuo chemistry namin kasi nag-training kami almost three weeks, we still have a chance to win every game doon sa Dubai," Lastimosa said.

("We've have been building the chemistry little by little as we've been training for almost three weeks. We still have a chance to win every game there in Dubai.")

Lastimosa, who has been described as one of the best guards in collegiate leagues, said he is grateful that Quiambao also joined the squad.

"Thankful kami kasi nandyan si KQ (Quiambao) kasi 'yun nga nawalan kami ng isang big, need talaga namin ng isang malaki. Sobrang saya namin kasi may nahabol pa si Coach Charles [Tiu]," said the Adamson guard.

("We're thankful that KQ is here because we lost one big, we really need someone with size. We're really happy that Coach Charles was able to bring him in.")

For Renaldo Balkman, he only has one goal in mind: the title.

"Not less than a championship. We're gonna win," said the Strong Group import.

"There's no 'I' in team, There's no one person. We got to play together as a team, that's what we'll show," Balkman said.

"We'll go hard every single time. Win win win win win."

The Strong Group will play the UAE national team to open their title defense bid on Friday night (Manila time).

Catch the airing of the game on Saturday, 6:15 p.m., on GTV and via GMA Sports' YouTube channel.

—JMB, GMA Integrated News