Amid several questions regarding the reigning UAAP Men’s Basketball Regular Season and Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP) Kevin Quiambao’s return to the champion DLSU Green Archers, the versatile forward finally revealed what is next in his already storied career. His departure from the team will surely be a blow to the side he led in their successful campaign to bring home La Salle’s first UAAP Men’s Basketball Championship since 2016.
In an exclusive interview with The LuhSallian, Quiambao reveals that his next destination has already been finalized. Heartbreakingly separating ways from the championship squad that has become his family, the Muntinlupa native finally announces that Japan will be his next destination as he pursues his lifelong dream of becoming Hokage.
Hokage moves
Although this move may shock the Lasallian faithful, Quiambao admits that this was not an impulse decision on his part. A big name in his own right, the NU Nazareth School product shares that a childhood hero of his played a pivotal role in his decision—Hidden Leaf Village ninja Naruto Uzumaki. He reveals, “Noong bata pa ako, idol ko talaga si Naruto. Nakaka-inspire talaga kasi sa akin ‘yung kaniyang work ethic at pagtitiyaga.”
(Ever since I was a kid, Naruto was really my idol. It’s because I’m truly inspired by his work ethic and perseverance.)
The UAAP Season 85 Rookie of the Year furthers that he hopes his decision does not leave any bad blood within the school he loves dearly. He humbly shares, “Napaka-grateful ko sa La Salle at sa lahat ng sumusuporta sa ‘akin at sa team namin, pero kailangan ko lang patunayan sa sarili ko na kaya ‘kong maging malakas na shinobi (ninja).”
(I’m extremely grateful to La Salle and everyone who supported me and our team, but I need to prove to myself that I can become a strong shinobi (ninja).)
No stranger to representing the Philippine flag, Quiambao hopes to make both his alma mater and country proud as he adds moves other than his signature floater and no-look pass to his already diverse arsenal as he embarks on what he has entitled his “KQ Training Arc.”
KQ Training Arc
After discovering his secret heritage as a direct descendant of the Uchiha clan, Quiambao aims to unlock his Sharingan very soon by training under Jiraiya, a renowned shinobi known for training Naruto. “Excited talaga ako noong sinabi ni Kevin sa akin na gusto na niya maging Hokage. Believe ako na siya yung susunod na Child of Prophecy,” Jiraiya expresses.
(I got really excited when Kevin told me he wanted to become Hokage. I believe that he is the next Child of Prophecy.)
Aside from unlocking his Sharingan, the Finals MVP hopes to learn a lot about the ninja way under the mentorship of Jiraiya. He will be undergoing strenuous training where he is looking forward to learning his all-time favorite move, the Rasengan, from his childhood hero Naruto. Quiambao shares, “Alam ko hindi madali aralin ang iba’t ibang jutsu. Pero kung gusto ko maging Hokage, kinakailangan kong magpursigi sa paghihirap ng training na ito upang matupad ko ang aking pangarap. Kagaya lang naman ito sa basketball.”
(I know it is not easy to learn the different jutsu. But if I really want to become Hokage, I must persevere through the difficulties of the training so that I can fulfill my dream. This is just like basketball.)
Shippuden support
As the Lasallian community bids farewell to their beloved UAAP Season 86 MVP, DLSU Head Coach Topex Robinson feels that he has done the team due diligence with the time he spent in the school. Besides, the seasoned tactician has his never-ending support toward his foregoing star. “The jump has been something he has envisioned, and I’ve always been there for it. When he got his full-sleeve tattoo, he texted me, ‘Coach! May bago na akong natutunan na jutsu,’ and I just replied with a wave emoji.”
(Coach! I learned a new jutsu.)
Quiambao’s childhood best friend and transferee Kean Baclaan conveys that while he has full faith that Quiambao will make an immediate splash in the Hidden Leaf Village, he cannot deny the opportunity lost of their one-two tandem in the UAAP. “Sayang syempre, tapos na rin mga ligang labas namin. Pero, masayang-masaya ako sa kanya dahil naalala ko pa dati nung ginagaya niya mga moves nina Naruto at Kakashi,” he reminisces. Baclaan, who is currently serving a one-year residency, will now look forward to an even bigger role in Coach Robinson’s system.
(Of course, it’s a pity since our leagues outside are also done already. But I’m really happy for him because I remember back then, he’d copy Naruto and Kakashi’s moves.)
No matter where Quiambao ends up, he has surely etched his name in La Salle and the UAAP’s talented history. As he writes a new chapter in his life on foreign territory, fans can now eagerly follow Quiambao’s journey to becoming the ninth Hokage.
This article was published in The LaSallian‘s Spoof 2024 issue. To read more, visit bit.ly/TLSSpoof2024.