With 5:13 left in Game 3 of the UAAP Season 87 Finals, Kevin Quiambao was replaced by Henry Agunanne with the DLSU Green Archers trailing the UP Fighting Maroons by three points, 61-58. It seemed to be a quick breather as a minute or so after he headed to the bench, Quiambao was seen approaching the scorer’s table ready to check in. 

Minutes continued to go by and yet, Quiambao could not enter the game. There were no dead ball situations as both the Green Archers and Fighting Maroons missed shot after shot after shot. Quiambao was surely itching to get back, especially as he could see openings he could have exploited.

It was only with 1:48 left in the fourth quarter that he was finally able to enter the court and as great as he was, those three or so minutes on the sidelines could have helped him warm up for his big moment. Instead, he could only watch as Francis Lopez put the final nail in the coffin. 

Quiambao’s substitution and delayed return will be discussed in sports circles, households, and office Christmas parties for the next few weeks, but that won’t do anything to change the outcome: Quiambao and La Salle will end Season 87 as first runners-up. 

This wasn’t the ending Quiambao imagined. He was a back-to-back MVP on the best team in the preliminary round of Season 87. The seconds that turned into minutes must’ve been gutting for Quiambao, who has shown us that he can produce in a flash when need be. 

As divisive as sports has been, Quiambao has earned the respect of the Lasallian community, peers, and even opposing fanbases. His body of work in just three UAAP seasons spoke for itself; he was the best player of this current generation of players capable of bringing out the best in his teammates with a game so selfless he had to be told later on in Season 87 to take over. He poured his heart and soul into the game of basketball and the respect he gave to the game was reciprocated with the results and the respect he received. 

An emotional conclusion like this takes time to process, but Quiambao already announced his plans to suit up for the Korean Basketball League’s Goyang Sono Skygunners. It’s all part of his bigger plan of hopefully making it to the NBA. It’s a logical step that is understandable, since he is playing more than just for himself. 

We may not be able to see another Kevin Quiambao masterpiece in the UAAP anymore, but this isn’t the last time we will see him working his magic. Despite not finishing his college career with a championship, Quiambao has already done everything to prove he is the best at the amateur level, and now his dreams of reaching greater heights beckon. 

As bittersweet as this ending may be for the Lasallian community, the future remains exciting for their star player who knows he’s #notperfect. And the fact that this is how he approaches the game makes what’s next even more exciting.