Big-time players make big-time plays, and Kevin Quiambao lived up to that in Gilas Pilipinas' overtime escape of Saudi Arabia in the FIBA Asia Cup 2025.
Big moments don’t scare Kevin Quiambao.
The former two-time UAAP MVP showed he’s ready for prime time, helping Gilas Pilipinas complete an overtime comeback win over host Saudi Arabia to clinch a spot in the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 quarterfinals.
“Kevin is not afraid of the moment, and I think that’s the best way to describe him. Nothing is too big for him,” head coach Tim Cone said after the game.
While it was Justin Brownlee who hit the crucial three that sent the game into overtime, it was Quiambao who pushed for the victory in the extra session.
The Goyang Sono Skygunners forward scored Gilas’ first bucket in overtime, connecting on a wide-open corner triple off a Brownlee feed to make it 82-79.
He then drilled a second crucial trey approaching the last two minutes to make it a nine-point lead for the Philippines.
“He just has that kind of personality — he’s always going to bring it, and he’s not afraid to step up and take the big shot when it’s presented to him,” Cone noted of KQ.
“That’s not always the case for a lot of players. That’s what makes him special.”
Given major minutes against Saudi, Quiambao made sure to make it count.
He finished with 17 points to tie his tournament high, while also adding three assists and three steals in almost 32 minutes of play.
“We’re still learning a lot from Kevin because he is a young gun on the team. He’s battling for his position and minutes and he just keeps wowing us,” Cone said.
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“He’ll play the same way whether he’s playing here in the Asia Cup or in the barangay leagues,” Cone added.
He continued: “He’s becoming a vital cog [to the team] as the other guy we can throw in there.”