MVP frontrunner Kevin Quiambao’s efforts to lead De La Salle back to the finals after a six-year wait have been validated by former Green Archers. 

This, as the Taft-based squad takes on University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons in their best-of-three finals showdown on Wednesday, Nov. 29. 

Quiambao is likely set to become the first local league MVP for the first time in eight years after former Blue Eagles Kiefer Ravena claimed the award in 2014 and 2015.

Since then, foreign student-athletes have been hailed for the individual honors. 

The sophomore forward Quiambao finished the elimination round with rare two triples-doubles in a single season and had only four non-double-double games to clear reigning MVP Malick Diouf of the award. 

“Kevin is a great talent. He has a high IQ. He’s very physically fit. So, I think and I know from what I have seen, siyempre I scout him. He’s very worthy of having and getting the MVP award. But more importantly, he is worthy and deserving of leading this team to the championship which is much more and way more important than personal accolades,” two-time Season and Finals MVP Don Allado said. 

“I think La Salle has a great chance against UP. I we are able to minimize a few key points of UP which is their number one running game, and of course, their execution on their half court. We will have a great of winning this series,” he added. 

Allado was also the last local MVP winner from La Salle in 1998 and 1999. 

Jeron Teng was part of the 2016 La Salle squad that claimed the title in dominant style, where he was eventually hailed Finals MVP. 

“He’s the MVP (frontrunner) for a reason. I’m expecting him and all the other vets to really lead our team to win another championship,” Teng simply said. 

Aldin Ayo also found the 22-year-old Quiambao’s form impressive this season but thought he could use more maturity heading into his first finals stint. 

“He’s on another level. I have seem him play when he was in high school. And even in the early part of his collegiate career. But he definitely stepped up. ‘Yung laro niya tingin ko ito ‘yung pinaka kondisyon siya eh. In terms of the physical aspect. Pero ang meron siya na wala ‘yung iba he’s very versatile. He can score, he can pass, do it all. Pero masusubukan dito kung gaano siya ka-mature and gaano niya kagusto manalo,” Ayo said. 

Spectating from the sidelines, former Green Archers captain and San Juan Mayor Francis Zamora was equally in awe by Quiambao’s significant improvement and had no doubt that he is on track to receive the award and a potential title to go with it. 

“He can dribble, he can rebound, he can give assist, he can score, he can shoot three. Basically, he can do everything. Para sa akin, siya ang pagasa talaga ng La Salle na manalo. Of course, it’s a team effort. But we can see how much he has improved from last season. Ang laki ng ginaling ni Kevin at kitang kita mo ‘yong leadership niya sa court. At we’re hoping that he wins the MVP. But more than the MVP, of course, we hope that he along with everyone else, can lead the team in winning the championship this year. So, sana talaga ‘yong composure in the endgame i-maintain nila at disiplina para mag-champion,” said Zamora. 

“I do hope that he gets it. Since I am the last local MVP, that’s won it back to back, and even in the finals, it’s very fitting na mapunta kay Kevin Quiambao ang MVP. Sana makuha rin niya ang finals MVP. Hindi kasi ‘yon madali, mahirap ‘yon kuhanin. But I think he can do it,” he added.