Gilas Pilipinas forward Kevin Quiambao is set to join Gilas Pilipinas’ trip to Doha in preparation for the third and final window of the FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers, according to head coach Tim Cone.
Kevin Quiambao good to go for Gilas’ Doha trip
At a glance
Gilas Pilipinas forward Kevin Quiambao is set to join Gilas Pilipinas’ trip to Doha in preparation for the third and final window of the FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers, according to head coach Tim Cone.
It can be recalled that Quiambao, who is currently playing with the Goyang Sono Skygunners in the Korean Basketball League, sustained an ankle injury in his professional debut, making him questionable for the trip where Gilas is set to play a series of friendly games.
“We spoke to him. He'll be with us in Doha and the trip,” said Cone whose addition of Quiambao is certainly a boost especially with Kai Sotto sidelined with a knee injury.
Cone, though, stressed that the Nationals will be taking a cautious approach on Quiambao to ensure that the injury doesn’t get aggravated.
“He's another guy we'll take a look at, talk to the trainers, and see if he needs to be on load management as well. He needs to be held back at times. But right now, he's telling us that he's ready to go, 100 percent,” added the veteran coach.
Quiambao actually had an impressive pro debut with 14 points, five rebounds and four assists before it was cut short by the injury in his team’s 97-64 loss to Anyang KJK.
Nonetheless, having Quiambao back in the fold is certainly good news for Gilas as he’s also starting to find his groove with the national team, just basing on his last game with the Nationals where he finished with eight points, five rebounds and five assists.
Aside from Quiambao, also back in the saddle are AJ Edu and Jamie Malonzo to join newly added reserve Troy Rosario, who will be taking the place of Japeth Aguilar who will not be available for the trip.
Gilas is set to play national teams of Qatar, Egypt and Lebanon in the pocket tournament that is being primed not only to prepare the Nationals for the road games against Chinese Taipei and New Zealand but also for the Asia Cup proper in August in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.