Kevin Quiambao to Stay in the Philippines and to Dominate the UAAP Anew
Despite international offers and a more lucrative paycheck, Filipino basketball sensation Kevin Quiambao kept his promise to stay with La Salle. The 6-foot-7 do-it-all forward has announced his decision to stay with the Green Archers after assuring his commitment to UAAP Season 87 immediately after clinching last season’s crown.
Although he contemplated accepting offers abroad after receiving many offers from top-flight clubs, including the Japan B.League, the Korean Basketball League (KBL), and clubs in the Middle East, Quiambao decided to stay.
Over the past three months, Quiambao has been approached by one team from Korea, three from Japan, and two from the Middle East. The offers were overwhelming, and he was undecided. The strong interest came after Quimbao showed he could also play toe-to-toe in international tournaments after impressive outings with Gilas Pilipinas and Strong Group.
He averaged 12.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game during the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers’ first window. His impressive plays continued in the Athletics’ campaign in the Dubai International Basketball Championship, where he averaged 18.0 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game.
Despite his strong performances internationally, he stayed committed to De La Salle University. Quiambao said that despite the good things about him, he kept his promise to La Salle and will commit to it.
He also clarified that his absence from La Salle’s lineup in the PBA D-League was due to his focus on catching up with his studies. With much of the previous semester spent abroad due to national team duties, he promised to return to the upcoming Filoil tournament.
In their forthcoming Season 87 title defense, Kevin Quiambao has set his sights on another championship with La Salle. He will also contribute to Gilas Pilipinas in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Latvia and help the national team qualify for the Paris Olympics.
Kevin Quiambao’s Early Life
Quiambao’s basketball journey started when his father and grandfather taught him to play the game. His idols growing up were Ryan Buenafe and Marc Pingris. He started playing in leagues in his barangay of Bayanan.
During his high school days, Quiambao was recruited to play for the Lyceum Junior Pirates after he was noticed at a barangay league. Despite his achievements today, Kevin didn’t have an early success as he didn’t make the roster for two years, instead spending time with Lyceum’s Team B. Because of this, his coach, LA Mumar, encouraged him to pattern his game after Nikola Jokić.
In 2016, Quiambao tried out for the National University Bullpups, where Coach Goldwin Monteverde took a gamble on him.
Things would start from there, as Quiambao towed NU to its juniors’ championship for the first time since 2016 in Season 81. The Bullpups went back-to-back champions after also reigning in Season 82 with the help of Quiambao, the only Bullpup on the Season 82 Mythical Team. He also finished third in the NBTC 24 rankings, with only San Beda forward Rhayyan Amsali and teammate Carl Tamayo ahead of him.
On August 1, 2020, he committed to playing for the De La Salle Green Archers. Since there was no UAAP basketball during the COVID-19 pandemic, Kevin Quiambao stayed in shape by playing in Filipino basketball leagues in Dubai.
His UAAP senior career also did not start well. He only had five points on 2-of-13 shooting and three steals in his debut loss to the UP Fighting Maroons. But he bounced back the next games by reaching double figures each game. During that season, he was awarded Rookie of the Year with averages of 11.2 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.1 steals.
In Season 86, Quiambao showed his Jokic-like plays by recording his first triple-double with 17 points, 11 rebounds, and 14 assists while contributing four steals in a win over NU on October 28, 2023. He became the first UAAP player since CJ Cansino in 2018 to record a triple-double, the first non-guard to do so, and the first Green Archer to ever record one.
He propelled DLSU to its first championship since 2016 and earned Finals MVP with averages of 14.7 points, 9.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and two blocks. He became the first player since Arwind Santos in 2005 to win both the Season and Finals MVP in the same season.
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