MANILA, Philippines – Perhaps for the last time, La Salle superstar Kevin Quiambao took center court to receive his second straight UAAP men’s basketball MVP award at the Mall of Asia Arena on Wednesday, December 11, minutes before the Archers’ finals Game 2 war against the UP Fighting Maroons.

Locked in at the singular task of rebounding from a lackluster Game 1, Quiambao still took time to thank his supporters as his budding basketball career approaches a pivotal crossroads, with the Korean Basketball League (KBL) apparently awaiting his arrival at the end of UAAP Season 87.

Quiambao tallied 81.357 statistical points (SPs) this season, emerging as the league’s best scorer with an average of 16.64 points, highlighted by a season-best 33-point outburst, while also norming 8.64 rebounds, 4.07 assists, and 1.0 steal.

Quiambao, who disappeared with a measly one-point second-half effort after erupting for 18 points in the opening quarters in an eventual 73-65 Game 1 loss last Sunday, December 8, was nonetheless still the picture of unchallenged dominance at the end of the elimination round, cruising to the MVP citation.

La Salle star teammate Mike Phillips was a far second in the Mythical Team with 74.929 SPs, while finals foe and Season 84 hero JD Cagulangan of UP finished third with 69.167.

Foreign student-athlete phenom Mo Konateh of FEU tallied 68.643 SPs in fourth, while UST veteran gunner Nic Cabañero — who has since committed to return for Season 88 — completed the Mythical Five with 61.0 SPs.

Should he choose to leave at season’s end, Quiambao will leave behind a legacy matched by few legends in UAAP history.

Already locked in the history books in 2023 after being the first local to win MVP since Kiefer Ravena in 2015, the 6-foot-7 Gilas Pilipinas prospect doubled down on the stellar distinction by being the first back-to-back MVP winner since Ben Mbala, another La Salle great and champion.

Long a fixture of basketball highlight reels with his all-around skill set pattered after three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic, Quiambao will continue to wow crowds here and abroad no matter what jersey color he dons, whether the La Salle green, the Gilas white, or perhaps, the Goyang blue. – Rappler.com