Kevin Quiambao embraces 'next man up' mentality to help Gilas stay alive in FIBA Asia Cup

Given major minutes, Kevin Quiambao turned in another stellar performance for Gilas Pilipinas in the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Tuesday morning, August 12 (PH time).

Quiambao dropped another 17-point outing for Gilas Pilipinas, helping the Nationals score a 95-88 overtime win over Saudi Arabia to set up a quarterfinals match against Australia.

The Goyang Sono Skygunners import also had three assists and three steals as he played 32 minutes, his most of the tournament so far.

As Gilas started the game without Calvin Oftana (ankle) and lost CJay Perez early in the game with an apparent foot injury, Quiambao felt the need to step up anew and made some big plays for Gilas, especially in the extra five minutes.

“First of all, thank you kay God nagkaroon kami ng opportunity na makabawi despite na mainit ang run nila [Saudi] noong fourth quarter,”  said Quiambao after the match at the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah.

[Related: Justin Brownlee, Gilas Pilipinas survive Saudi Arabia in FIBA Asia Cup 2025 knockout game]

“Next man up lang kami, dalawang personnel ang nawala sa amin ngayon and then tiwala lang sa systema ni coach Tim and sa lahat ng sumusuporta sa Pilipinas ngayon.”

Behind Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman, Saudi Arabia rallied in the fourth period and even took a 77-71 lead with under two minutes left in regulation.

But Justin Brownlee played the hero role anew for Gilas, scoring six of the team’s last eight points to send the game into overtime.

[Related: Justin Brownee and the 'NSD' spirit shine through as Gilas makes FIBA Asia Cup quarterfinals]

Now playing with renewed confidence, Quiambao and the rest of the team picked Saudi Arabia apart in the extra period to secure the much-needed dub.

But ss thrilling as the victory was, the celebration won’t be for long as Gilas shifts its focus on reigning back-to-back champion Australia in the quarterfinals.

The match is initially set on Wednesday, August 13 (PH time).