University Athletic Association of the Philippines stars Kevin Quiambao of De La Salle University and University of the Philippines’ JD Cagulangan impressed former Gilas Pilipinas naturalized player Andray Blatche as they team up in Strong Group Athletics in the 33rd Dubai International Basketball Championship at the Al Nasr Stadium in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Blatche said in a podcast he liked the style of play of Quiambao and Cagulangan inside the court.
Strong Group is playing against the UAE national team as of press time.
“I like him (Quiambao) but I also like the little point guard (Cagulangan). He’s very crafty and I like his game,” Blatche said.
However, Blatche said he wants Cagulangan to be more vocal inside the court once their campaign begins.
“One thing about being a point guard is that you got to talk. When we get to Dubai and the crowd goes crazy, we got to be able to hear you,” said Blatche, who played for Gilas from 2014 to 2019.
Both Cagulangan and Quiambao made a name for themselves in the UAAP after winning titles for their respective schools.
Despite not being named in any of the UAAP Mythical Teams in the past four seasons, Cagulangan will be remembered by the UP community for sinking a buzzer-beating triple in Game 3 of the finals in 2022 against Ateneo de Manila University, 72-69, in overtime to win the Fighting Maroons’ first UAAP title in 36 years.
A year later, it was Quiambao’s turn as his dominant performance for the Green Archers not only beat Cagulangan and UP in the finals but also bagged the season and Finals Most Valuable Player award as well as being included in the UAAP Mythical Team.
Strong Group will be bannered by National Basketball Association champion Dwight Howard and veterans Blatche, Andre Roberson and McKenzie Moore.
Backing them up in Strong Group are La Salle’s Francis Escandor and College of Saint Benilde stars Justine Sanchez, Tony Ynot and Allen Liwag as well as Justine Baltazar and Jordan Heading.
Head coach Charles Tiu will be in charge of the team and helping him out are six-time National Basketball League champion and Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist Brian Goorjian of Australia, Green Archers mentor Topex Robinson and Philippine Basketball Association champion and former Blazers coach TY Tang.
Blatche wants the young core of the group to keep going despite the mistakes they make inside the court.
“I just want them to go out and give it their all. There are going to be mistakes like I said. I don’t want them to put their head down, I don’t want them to apologize, I don’t want them to lose confidence,” Blatche said.
“Just keep on going and keep on making mistakes. That’s how you’re going to learn.”
