Kevin Quiambao 'blessed' to be part of Tim Cone's Gilas core

Kevin Quiambao is up for another stint with Gilas Pilipinas and said he is blessed with a new opportunity to don the national colors.

In an interview on Wednesday, Quiambao said Gilas head coach Tim Cone talked to him over the phone about playing for the national team.

"Sobrang blessed na mapasama ulit ako sa Gilas. Actually bago kami mag-board ng eroplano, saka lang ako tinawagan so hindi talaga ako makatulog sa eroplano dahil nga nagkaro’n ako ng call-up again sa GIlas and this time, kung anong role ang ipagawa sa akin ni Coach Tim, kung ano man ‘yung pwede kong maitulong sa bansa natin, gagawin ko," said the UAAP Most Valuable Player.

(I am blessed to be invited by Gilas. Before we boarded the plane, that was the time I received the call then I could not sleep on the plane because I got another Gilas call-up and this time, whatever role is asked of me by Coach Tim, whatever ways I could help my country, I'll do it.)

Quiambao recently joined the Strong Group Athletics in the Dubai International Basketball Championship where the Philippine representative finished as runner-up.

In the said tournament, Quiambao played as a wing for the team, which is a challenge he would take if he would be given the same role in Gilas.

"I-take ko lang siguro as a challenge. ‘Yung international level sobrang layo sa UAAP and kung bigyan man ako ni Coach Tim ng role ng ganun, ite-take ko lang as a challenge and motivation. Para naman sa career ko ‘yun kaya ginagawa nila," the standout from De La Salle University said.

(I'll take it as a challenge. International play is far from the UAAP and if Coach Tim gives me a role like that, I'll take it as a challenge and motivation. This is for my career and this is why they're making me do it.)

With the recent reports of naturalization offers made to him by the United Arab and with the Gilas window coming, Quiambao said he would focus on playing for the Philippines first, along with his return to La Salle.

"Hindi ko lang sure pero willing to wait sila sa’kin and for now, focused muna ako sa GIlas siguro dahil ito ‘yung nasa harap natin and malapit na ‘yung window. SIguro paghahandaan ko muna ‘yung window na ‘to and siguro oras lang talaga ang makakapagsabi ng lahat," he added.

(I'm just not sure but they are willing to wait and for now, I'll focus on Gilas first since the February window is coming. I'll prepare first for this window then time will tell what my future holds.)

Gilas will play Hong Kong and Chinese Taipei on February 22 and 25, respectively.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News