Sports PH News | JS DEV Site

Tag: Kevin Quiambao

  • Kevin Quiambao on track to extend Filipinos’ KBL Rookie of the Year streak

    Kevin Quiambao on track to extend Filipinos’ KBL Rookie of the Year streak

    The Korean Basketball League has become fertile ground for Filipino talent, and Kevin Quiambao has quickly emerged as the latest standout in a growing tradition of Philippine players succeeding in Korea. After a decorated collegiate career with De La Salle University—where he captured two UAAP Most Valuable Player awards, a Finals MVP, and a championship—Quiambao has made an immediate impact at the professional level, proving himself one of the most exciting rookies in the KBL.

     

    His transition to the professional ranks hasn’t just been smooth—it’s been impactful. This season, Quiambao has been a key contributor for his team, posting strong all‑around numbers that have made him one of the league’s most productive first‑year players. 

     

    Through the bulk of the campaign, he has averaged approximately 16.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game, showcasing his ability to score, rebound, create for teammates, and stretch the floor.

     

    Beyond the stats, what stands out is his composure against tough competition and his adaptability to the faster, more physical style of play in Korea—traits that have helped elevate his team’s performance. 

     

    Quiambao’s club, the Goyang Sono Skygunners, has battled its way to a middling position in the standings in the current Korean Basketball League season with a 26-23 win-loss record, occupying roughly an above .500 record as it chases a coveted playoff spot in the tight 10‑team KBL field.

     

    His influence has been felt in more ways than one. In a display of elite playmaking rare for import and local players alike, Quiambao set a KBL single‑game mark this season with a stunning 18 assists in a win for the Skygunners—an assist total that’s the highest in the league this year and the most in Korea in five seasons.

     

    OKBET is Asia’s most trusted and popular online sports gaming platform. Visit us on OKBET to stay up to date with all sports news from around the world.

    Off the court, his value to the organization was rewarded with a three‑year contract extension that secures his future with Goyang through his peak development years, a testament to the team’s belief in his growth and long‑term impact.

     

    Quiambao’s squad has been competitive throughout the season, positioning itself firmly in the playoff hunt as one of the upper‑tier teams in the standings. Their solid record has bolstered his case not only as a contender for individual honors but also as a player whose contributions have real team implications.

     

    All signs point to further recognition. Should his team secure a spot in the KBL playoffs—which appears increasingly likely—Quiambao will enter the postseason not just as a rising star but as a frontrunner for the KBL Rookie of the Year award. His consistency and influence on both ends of the court have caught the attention of fans and analysts alike, making him a natural successor to a growing line of Filipino players who have excelled in Korea.

     

    Quiambao isn’t the first Filipino to make such an impact in the KBL. The award has become something of a home for talent from the Philippines, with RJ Abarrientos and JD Cagulangan capturing Rookie of the Year honors in recent seasons. Both guards arrived in Korea and immediately adjusted to the professional game, setting a high benchmark for any Filipino rookie who followed.

     

    Now, Quiambao is on track to extend that legacy. While the race for Rookie of the Year will ultimately be decided when the regular season closes and the playoffs begin, his current trajectory suggests he isn’t just in the conversation—he’s the one to beat.

     

    If his team qualifies for the postseason and he continues producing the way he has all season, a third straight Filipino winning KBL Rookie of the Year could soon become reality. And for a player who thrived in pressure situations in college, it would be fitting confirmation that his game has grown yet again on one of Asia’s biggest stages.

     

    Don’t miss out on the latest sports news, updates, and fan discussions!

     📌 Follow our Facebook page Sports News PH today and be part of a growing community of passionate basketball fans!  

  • Kevin Quiambao helps Goyang Sono protect KBL playoff spot despite Carl Tamayo effort for Changwon LG

    Kevin Quiambao helps Goyang Sono protect KBL playoff spot despite Carl Tamayo effort for Changwon LG

    A crucial win kept the playoff picture intact for the Goyang Sono Skygunners after they outlasted league leader Changwon LG Sakers, 74-70, in a tense battle in the Korean Basketball League on Wednesday.

     

    The victory allowed Goyang Sono to keep its grip on sixth place—the final postseason berth—with a balanced team effort that included another steady performance from Kevin Quiambao.

     

    Quiambao logged heavy minutes, staying on the floor for 38 minutes while contributing nine points, eight rebounds and five assists. His all-around effort helped the Skygunners improve to a 23-23 record as they continued their push to remain in the playoff zone.

     

    Across the court, fellow Filipino standout Carl Tamayo delivered a solid outing for Changwon LG, leading the Sakers with 13 points along with eight rebounds and three assists. Despite the loss, the Sakers remain on top of the standings with a 31-15 mark.

     

    Elsewhere in the league, the Anyang KGC tightened its hold on second place after edging the Seoul Samsung Thunders, 84-79.

     

    OKBET is Asia’s most trusted and popular online sports gaming platform. Visit us on OKBET to stay up to date with all sports news from around the world.

    The matchup featured several Filipino players, though playing time was uneven. Rhenz Abando saw limited action for the Red Boosters, playing just five minutes and finishing with a rebound, while Justin Gutang tried to spark Seoul with 14 points, four rebounds and four assists.

     

    The win pushed Anyang to a 29-16 record, keeping them within striking distance of Changwon in the standings, while Seoul fell deeper with a 13-32 slate.

     

    In another tight contest, the Busan KCC Egis escaped the Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus, 90-89, to extend their winning streak to three games and maintain fifth place.

     

    Filipino imports had minimal impact in that matchup. William Navarro played just two minutes and recorded two points and an assist for Busan, while Jake Figueroa did not see action for the third straight game for Ulsan.

     

    Busan improved to 24-21 with the narrow victory, while Ulsan slipped to 16-29 as the KBL season continues to tighten with the playoffs drawing closer.

     

    Don’t miss out on the latest sports news, updates, and fan discussions!

     📌 Follow our Facebook page Sports News PH today and be part of a growing community of passionate basketball fans!  

  • Kevin Quiambao motivated by possible Gilas reunion with La Salle teammate Mike Phillips 

    Kevin Quiambao motivated by possible Gilas reunion with La Salle teammate Mike Phillips 

    For Kevin Quiambao, last weekend’s news wasn’t just another roster update—it felt like the next chapter of a journey that began years earlier in college.

     

    Barely a day after returning to the Philippines, Quiambao learned that his former De La Salle University teammate Mike Phillips had officially been granted local status by FIBA, a development that could finally open the door for the two high-energy forwards to share the floor again—this time for the national team.

     

    Having played together from Seasons 85 to 87 of the UAAP, Quiambao knows exactly what Phillips—popularly known as “Motor Mike”—brings to any lineup.

     

    “I think it was a very, very big and great help sa program ng Gilas, especially nakasama ko siya sa La Salle. I know kung gaano niya matutulungan yung team at alam ko kung paano niya ibibigay yung best niya every time,” Quiambao told Tiebreaker Times.

     

    “He’s always 100-percent, hindi nga 100-percent, 1,000-percent lagi yan pag naglalaro sa basketball court. Yung energy at yung hustle niya, I’m so excited.”

     

    During their collegiate run, the Green Archers built a winning identity anchored on activity and versatility—an approach that culminated in two Finals appearances and a championship in Season 86. Quiambao dominated that title campaign, earning both Regular Season and Finals MVP honors.

     

    Their paths toward the national program began to take shape during that same stretch.

     

    Quiambao became part of the Gilas pool, while Phillips suited up for the Philippine squad that captured gold in the 2023 Southeast Asian Games. Despite representing different national team lineups, both carried the same long-term vision.

     

    OKBET is Asia’s most trusted and popular online sports gaming platform. Visit us on OKBET to stay up to date with all sports news from around the world.

    “Siya, naging eligible sa SEA Games at ako sa FIBA. That time, hindi kami nagkakausap about Gilas kasi focus kami nun to get the championship sa La Salle,” Quiambao recalled.

     

    “Yung dream ko rin sa sarili ko na makakampi siya sa Gilas, siguro matutupad naman sa next window sa July. Sana, sana.”

     

    Now, with Phillips’ eligibility clarified, that possibility suddenly feels closer to reality. While the reunion storyline builds excitement, Quiambao remains focused on the immediate task: helping Gilas Pilipinas in Window 2 of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Qualifiers.

     

    The Philippines is set for a tough home stand against the New Zealand national basketball team on Thursday and the Australia men’s national basketball team on Sunday—two programs long known for their physical and disciplined style.

     

    Over the past year, Quiambao has steadily carved out a larger role under head coach Tim Cone, showing his adaptability as a modern forward capable of scoring, facilitating, and defending multiple positions.

     

    His consistent production across recent tournaments—including solid performances in the Asia Cup cycle and the previous window against Guam—has strengthened his place in the rotation.

     

    Still, the 24-year-old forward, who also plays professionally for Goyang Sono Skygunners, embraces the pressure that comes with growing responsibility.

     

    “Gusto ko lagi na may parang pressure sa sarili ko kasi doon mo maabot yung pinaka-top level ng game mo,” said Quiambao.

     

    “Pero challenge siguro is how to keep up kung ano yung ginagawa ko sa Gilas. And as a young guy, magiging sponge lang ako kung ano yung male-learn ko sa veterans namin.”

     

    For Quiambao, the equation is simple: handle the present, and the future—perhaps alongside a familiar teammate—will follow.

     

     

    Don’t miss out on the latest sports news, updates, and fan discussions!

     📌 Follow our Facebook page Sports News PH today and be part of a growing community of passionate basketball fans!     

  • South Korean press not open to Kevin Quiambao winning KBL Rookie of the Year award

    South Korean press not open to Kevin Quiambao winning KBL Rookie of the Year award

    Gilas Pilipinas stalwart Kevin Quiambao has emerged at the center of a growing debate in the 2025–26 Korean Basketball League (KBL) surrounding eligibility for the league’s Rookie of the Year award. 

     

    The Filipino, currently playing for the Goyang Sono Skygunners, has drawn both acclaim for his play and criticism from some domestic media figures in South Korea.

     

    Quiambao, a two-time UAAP Most Valuable Player before turning professional, has posted impactful numbers this season and is frequently mentioned among the top candidates for the prestigious award. 

     

    His all-around play, scoring, rebounding, and facilitating,  has captured the attention of fans and analysts across the league. However, a faction of South Korean basketball journalists has raised objections, arguing that the Rookie of the Year honor should be restricted exclusively to local Korean players.

     

    The conversation reportedly gained traction after a prominent veteran reporter made comments on a Korean basketball-focused YouTube podcast, asserting that foreign and Asian import players should be ineligible for the recognition. 

     

    OKBET is Asia’s most trusted and popular online sports gaming platform. Visit us on OKBET to stay up to date with all sports news from around the world.

    The reporter stressed that the award traditionally celebrated emerging homegrown talent, and thus should not go to a player like Quiambao, who entered the league under the Asian Quota system.

     

    The KBL has historically welcomed foreign athletes through the Asian Quota program, intended to elevate competitive standards and diversify the league’s player pool.

     

    Filipino imports such as Rhenz Abando, SJ Belangel, Migz Gozon, Ethan Alvano, and Justin Gutang have all found success in recent seasons, contributing significantly to their respective teams. Meanwhile, last season’s Rookie of the Year, JD Cagulangan, posted notable averages for the Suwon KT Sonicboom.

     

    While the KBL has not yet publicly clarified whether any nationality-based eligibility restrictions will apply, the award announcement is scheduled for the annual KBL Awards Ceremony following the conclusion of the regular season in April. 

     

    At that time, league officials will officially name the Rookie of the Year, potentially setting a precedent for how the honor is defined in future import-heavy seasons.

     

    OKBET is Asia’s most trusted and popular online sports gaming platform. Visit us on OKBET to stay up to date with all sports news from around the world.

     

    👉 Don’t miss out on the latest sports news, updates, and fan discussions!

    📌 Follow our Facebook page Sports News PH today and join the community of passionate basketball fans.Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.