How LA Tenorio helped Kevin Quiambao in embracing different role for Gilas

Kevin Quiambao was determined to make the minutes count in the second window of the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers as newly-appointed Gilas Youth head coach LA Tenorio kept him ready and grounded. 

The reigning UAAP Most Valuable Player, who was not fielded in the Philippines’ historic 93-89 victory over New Zealand, helped the Nationals complete a dominant drubbing of Hong Kong, 93-54. 

As he was finally taken off the bench, Quiambao turned in eight points highlighted by two three-pointers in the fourth period that he laced with five rebounds and four assists in 22 minutes of action. 

“Unang-una si Coach LA Tenorio. Nung hindi ako nakakuha ng minutes against New Zealand, lagi niya ako pinapaalalahanan na stay ready lang. Naging professional lang rin ako na basketball is basketball. Walang personalan. Para sa akin ready lang naman ako palagi,” Quiambao said. 

Quiambao and head coach Tim Cone echoed each other as they operate under the same banner since the national team was reformed earlier this year with a steady core group. 

For someone used to being the go-to guy in a team, Quiambao knew things were going to be different in Gilas, but his mentality is rooted in being a team player. 

“Hindi naman [ako nanghihinayang na hindi ako nakalaro.] Nakuha naman natin ‘yung panalo, and then historical naman ‘yung win. As baguhan dito sa Gilas, tanggap ko naman ‘yung role ko,” Quiambao said. 

Cone also insisted on the same sentiment.

“I keep saying this, this is not an all-star team. We’re not out there to showcase our individual skills. And we gotta come together as a team. Sometimes it takes some hard coaching. That’s what I love about this team. They really accept that, that idea. It makes it so much easier from a coaching standpoint to handle this team. I love this team," said Cone.

Whether he gets time or not, Quiambao is on top of things and making sure his form is reliable when duty calls. 

“I think passion lang siguro talaga [why I headed to training right away that night after the game.] Dahil once na dumating ‘yung opportunity kailangan maging ready ako. So dumating nga ngayon dito. After nung game against New Zealand, nag-move on na ako. Nakatulong naman ako sa bench kahit hindi ako nakakuha ng minuto,” he said. 

“So for me, ginagawa ko lang ‘yung role ko. ‘Yung mga dirty work dahil puro scorer kami rito sa team. Kailangan gawin ko ‘yung dirty works rebounds, hustle, and box out. Bagong role siya sa akin. Pero tinanggap ko naman,” he added. 

With the Philippines moving to the FIBA Asia Cup slated in Saudi Arabia next year, Quiambao is going back to La Salle armed with valuable lessons from another Gilas stint just in time for the Final Four. 

“I think sobrang laking boost nito para sa akin. Dahil isa ako sa mga leader sa La Salle. So ‘yung experience na to dadalhin ko, ipapayo ko sa mga teammates ko sa La Salle. Hindi rito natatapos lahat kailangan ko pa magtrabaho,” he concluded.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News