MVP race leader Kevin Quiambao was glad to see how far his efforts had paid off after recording the first triple-double in five years in the UAAP Season 86 men’s basketball tournament. 

The sophomore big man not only registered the first-triple double of 17 points, 14 assist and 11 rebounds since CJ Cansino, who tallied 20 points, 14 rebounds, and 10 assists on Oct. 28, 2018 for University of Santo Tomas, but also set the record for most assists by a player.

The feat also saw Quiambao as the first Green Archer and the only non-guard to ever achieve it. 

More than the numbers, Quiambao helped La Salle hike its win-loss tally to 6-3 following its 88-78 payback victory over National University on Sunday, Oct. 28. 

After the first round of the eliminations, the 22-year-old led all players in statistical points ahead of reigning MVP Malick Diouf of the University of the Philippines and even made the most three-pointers, interestingly, along with Cansino, as they both normed 2.71 a game. 

The historic performance was bound to happen eventually as Quiambao has been flirting with a triple double since the first round. 

Even as he shines brilliantly on his own, the 6-foot-8 wingman opted to credit the team’s free flowing offense which made it possible for him to deliver such feat.  

“‘Yong mga assists siguro nanggaling sa system eh. Kumbaga ‘yong flow ng system namin doon nanggaling lahat ng assist and doon naman sa five years ago ‘yong last triple-double, sobrang sarap ma-surpass ‘yon at magkaroon ng sariling pangalan,” said Quiambao. 

“But again, credit sa lahat ng kakampi ko. Hindi ako makaka-14 assist kung hindi nila na-shoot ‘yon. So, thankful ako sa mga teammates ko na tyinaga namin ‘yong game and flow lang ng offense namin is ang ganda,” he added. 

Quiambao has also made himself the potential first local MVP since former Blue Eagles Kiefer Ravena in 2014 and 2015. 

Still, the Season 85 Rookie of the Year is focused on the team goals, which is to help La Salle return to the Final Four. 

“Nag doble effort lang ako kasi ‘yong first round nga natalo kami sa kanila. Parang may gusto akong patunayan na hindi na pwedeng maulit ‘yon,” said Quiambao. 

“Sobrang happy ako nakuha ko ‘yong achievement. Pero hindi pa rin dito natatapos and focus lang kami next sa UP. And enjoy ‘yong break,” he said.

In keeping himself in-form and consistent, Quiambao even set a personal routine which is to workout before and after the game. 

“Again, ‘yong mga post-game and pre-game workout nakadepende lang ako sa program nila coach Migs and team nutrition. Tulad nga ng mga ganitong games, kick the hard days hard nga,” said Quiambao. 

“So after this totally off ako kinabukasan. And ‘yon nagta-transition siya sa game ko dahil alam mo ‘yong mental aspect na lumakas ka dahil nag-workout. Sobrang nage-enjoy lang ako mag-workout nang mag-workout hanggang sa hindi ko napapansin na sumusobra na pala. Good thing naman na naa-apply ko siya sa court and kita naman sa minutes na parang ‘yong second win meron pa,” he added.

La Salle will resume action against UP after a short break on Sunday, Nov. 5.