–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Not all goodbyes are the same. Same thing with gratitude.
Kevin Quiambao and JD Cagulangan bid farewell to their teams after a grueling title battle in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament.
Article continues after this ad
The two stars, both of whom are so popular they are recognizable by their two-letter nicknames, also expressed gratitude for the programs that propelled them into the pantheon of college icons.
But only one of them left with a crown on his head.
Quiambao, well rested just 24 hours after a deadly final series, announced on social networks that he had played his last match in a La Salle uniform.
Article continues after this ad
“Thank you for 3 wonderful seasons, lots of sweat, tears and sacrifices,” the two-time MVP wrote in a post shared Monday. “Coach Topex (Robinson) and Coach Migs Aytona, I love you and thank you for unlocking and freeing KQ.”
“Thank you for believing in me and pushing me to reach my potential. I am so grateful and blessed to have you guys. That being said, my college career is coming to an end, I will pursue my NBA dream and begin my journey by playing professional ball in the Goyang Sono SkyGunners (in the Korean Basketball League) and developing my game even more” , Quiambao said.
Quiambao was asked after the decisive Game 3, which the University of the Philippines won 66-62, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday night to reclaim the men’s throne, what his future plans were.
He remained evasive, ignoring reports of his transfer to Korea.
“I’m going to take a break for now.” I think I have until December to rest. I don’t know what’s next, I’ll just rest first,” Quiambao told reporters. “I don’t want to think about it yet. I just want to rest because I’ve been playing basketball non-stop for eight months .
It took him less than a day to recover enough to make his decision.
Triple Crucial
Cagulangan also said goodbye to UP, where he will forever be ingrained in the school’s basketball tradition.
“I can’t say anything other than thank you,” said Cagulangan, the Finals MVP, as he wore the Maroon jersey one last time. “I am so happy to have participated in this program. They welcomed me well and UP deserved the victory this season.
Cagulangan leaves the Diliman program with two titles, the first of which he sealed with a dramatic triple putback against Ateneo in Season 84.
He will emerge champion, and this time, it is Francis Lopez who he owes. The very athletic forward missed his free throws that could have changed the outcome of Game 2 and sealed the Maroons’ return to the throne early. But he redeemed himself in a big way with the crucial triple green light which significantly damaged the Archers’ chances of a repeat.
Trend Reset
“I’m also happy for Francis (Lopez). I’m so proud of how he overcame what happened to him,” Cagulangan said.
“They always trusted me. After that loss, we were still able to talk to each other, and it was definitely a surreal moment, man. They continue to believe in me and I’m really happy that they are still there for me, even though we suffered this defeat. We managed to conquer it this time, so yeah, I’m really happy,” Lopez said.
While Cagulangan readily extended credit to those who deserved it, Quiambao will be moving from Taft Ave. carrying in his suitcase a monstrous share of the blame for La Salle’s defeat.
“Win or lose, it’s my fault. This is all my fault. I take ownership of everything,” said Quiambao, who saved La Salle’s campaign in Game 2 but was limited to 4 of 11 shooting, including 16.7 percent from behind the three-point line, to finish with 13 points and only four rebounds.
The triumph of Cagulangan and the Maroons means UP have reversed a trend that has dogged the team since they won their first crown in 33 years.
UP had always taken the lead in the best-of-three series, but would lose the second game to finally cede the crown in the third game.
Coach Goldwin Monteverde’s men have this time rewritten the script.
“Of course we are happy for both (the championships in seasons 84 and 87),” Monteverde said.
“Especially in the 84 season we were with different players like Ricci (Rivero), CJ (Cansino) and we (enjoyed) having this time and for this championship we have this group and everyone is so happy,” he added before the rest of the Maroons took the celebration to the Big Dome press room, pouring water on each other and uncorking the champagne.
Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription was successful.
“It’s incredible to be able to end our season with a (championship). Very few people can say they ended their season with a win and that’s just something I’ll always look back on (with a) smile,” said Quentin Millora-Brown, who was recruited to feature in the painting, after his only stint with the Maroons.
