By REYNALD MAGALLON
La Salle star Kevin Quiambao was thrilled to be part of the new Gilas Pilipinas under head coach Tim Cone.
Quiambao, who was fresh off a solid run with the Strong Group Athletics in the Dubai International Tournament, is the youngest among the players called up for the national team that is primed to play all throughout the four year cycle.
The 22-year-old versatile forward shared that he has a feeling a mix of excitement and pressure playing alongside PBA veterans and under Cone but nonetheless vowed to make the most of the opportunity to further improve.
“To be under coach Tim sobrang laking privilege sobrang laking pressure at the same time. Sobrang laking blessing kasi nga coach tim sobrang daming experience na yan sobrang daming players na nahawakan nya,” said Quiambao who was on the sidelines during the Game 3 of the Phoenix-Magnolia semifinals series.
“Gagawin ko lang siguro yung best ko so kung sino man yung nasa lineup kumbaga ichecherish ko lang yung moment na kasama ko sila,” he added.
The young forward shared that he already talked to Cone regarding the Gilas program and how much of a role he’ll be playing for the Nationals moving forward.
After playing alongside NBA veterans like Dwight Howard, Andre Roberson, and Andray Blatche during his Strong Group stint, Quiambao said it is an added motivation to be joining an elite cast of Filipino players in the Gilas lineup
“Added motivation na naman para sa sarili ko kung ano pa yung kailangan kong igrow para mapasama sa lineup ng Gilas, sobrang laking blessing talaga sa akin. Di ito biro kasi bansa yung nirerepresent and gagawin ko lang yung best ko tulad ng ginawa ko sa SGA,” he added.
For the meantime, Quiambao intends to focus on Gilas first before other matters including the rumored NBA Summer League invite and naturalization offers from the United Arab Emirates.
“Moving forward, Gilas lang muna siguro yung pwede nating pag usapan kasi ayun yung paparating na schedule para sa career ko. Focus muna ako sa Gilas and sa mga things na kailangan ko iimprove ngayon specially sa mga skills,” he said.