Kevin Quiambao will be returning to help De La Salle University defend its title in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines men’s basketball tournament Season 87 next year.
Quiambao, the most dominant force in the collegiate circuit after winning the season and finals Most Valuable Player award, took to social media his desire to return and power the Green Archers to another title run.
He said he consulted his family and friends before deciding to return to give other teams, especially rivals University of the Philippines and Ateneo de Manila University, a run for their money.
“Playing for DLSU has been one of the greatest blessings in my life,” Quiambao posted on Instagram on Wednesday together with a picture of him cutting the net after beating the Fighting Maroons in Game 3 of their Season 86 best-of-three finals series last week.
“After constantly consulting my family and friends, we’re excited to run it back and try to make it B2B (back to back).”
Quiambao’s decision to return for his final year came as a surprise.
After leading La Salle to a title run in the previous season, speculations swirled that he will be testing the waters in the professional ranks abroad, similar to what other young players like Carl Tamayo, RJ Abarrientos, and SJ Belangel did.
But Quiambao quickly doused cold water to those speculations by making an announcement barely a week after lifting the trophy that ended the Green Archers’ seven-year title drought.
Over at Ateneo, Chris Koon also announced that he will be returning to settle an unfinished business.
Less than a month after getting dethroned, Koon said he will be making a return to lead the Blue Eagles in their redemption tour in Season 87.
The Filipino-American guard thanked the Ateneo community for giving him time to ponder his next move while nursing a fractured left foot following a dismal Season 86 campaign.
Ateneo huffed and puffed in the eliminations and needed to beat a hobbling Adamson University for the fourth spot in the Final Four, 70-48.
But their semifinal campaign didn’t last long as they were sent packing by a powerhouse University of the Philippines squad, 57-46, to kiss their crown goodbye.
Koon had a forgettable stint, averaging 9.6 points on 32 percent field goal shooting and 27 percent clip from the three-point area on top of 5.9 rebounds and 2.9 assists.
Now, he will return for another tour of duty to help the Blue Eagles reclaim the title that long-time rivals Green Archers won at the expense of the Fighting Maroons.
“To the Ateneo community, I want to thank you for being patient with me as I was figuring out my future after the season ended. It was an emotional year filled with lots of growth and learning experiences,” Koon said.
“With that, there is still much work to be done. I’m excited to say that I will be coming back for next season. The road to recovery and preparation starts now and I can’t wait to go through this journey together with all of you.”
