Reigning UAAP MVP Kevin Quiambao said earning a college degree remains his top priority as he chose to extend his stay at the De La Salle University and give the Green Archers another shot at winning another title.

The 22-year-old forward previously announced on social media that he is excited to "run it back" with the Green Archers following their recent championship win in a historic UAAP Season 86 finals duel against University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons earlier this month. 

Quiambao posted a brilliant sophomore year in the recently concluded season, clinching all available individual awards along with two rare triple doubles in the elimination round. 

During the awarding ceremony, the 6-foot-5 Quiambao was also the first to announce wanting to play for ‘one more year’ with the Taft-based squad, which he was then briefly hesitant about shortly after – hinting a possible overseas stint. 

“First of all, ‘yung bond of brothers, kaming apat [Ben, Isaiah, Mike Phillips], especially para kay kuya Ben dahil grabe nga ‘yung determination, ‘yung success na [binigay] niya para sa team namin,” Quiambao told some reporters during their championship meet-and-greet at the Adidas Brand Centre in Makati. 

“‘Yung first factor talaga is sobrang love ko ‘yung DLSU community. Sobrang gustung gusto ko makapagtapos ng pag-aaral sa DLSU. And kung paano ko matutulungan ‘yung family ko,” he added. 

The Season 85 Rookie of the Year was supposed to fly to Japan on Friday, Dec. 15 to spend some time with his family, but had to move back his holiday getaway due to a hectic schedule. 

Quiambao’s mother, who has been working in Japan for 21 years, was also one of the reasons why he considered possibly taking his next act to the neighboring country, where many Filipino cagers were scouted by. 

However, Quiambao expressed his loyalty to La Salle and how excited he is to continue his legacy in the collegiate ranks, seeing it as something long-term.   

“Since I got here in La Salle naman gusto ko talaga long-term. And gusto kong makapagtapos ng pag-aaral. After nung Game 3, sobrang sweet nga nung victory namin then inisip ko ‘yung bigger picture for next year seeing these guys kung paano rin mag-work hard. Kung paano ‘yung bond of brothers namin, 16-man strong. Sobrang sarap sa feeling na ‘yung desisyon ko na to [para] sa amin naman lahat eh. Lahat kami magiging factor dito, so sobrang excited ako na run it back for Season 87,” said Quiambao. 

Quiambao, who’s taking up BA Sports Management (AB-SPM) in La Salle, is planning to finish his studies earlier than usual as the school offers three semesters in one academic year. 

“Good thing sa DLSU, we have a tri sem and pwede ka mag-overload ng units. Siguro in a span of one year or two years, pwede ka na grumaduate. So, focus muna ako kung anong meron, Season 87 muna. After that, management na bahala and teammates ko,” he said. 

What clear is that there will be more of Quiambao in the Season 87, beyond that is a decision saved for another day.