Chasing a dream

Kevin Quiambao is determined to become the first ever homegrown Filipino to play in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Well, it’s no surprise.

At 6-foot-4, Quiambao can compete with bigger and stronger players, especially the Americans, Africans and Europeans who are lording it over in the NBA which is billed as the toughest professional basketball league in the world.

Quiambao has a feathery shooting touch, quick defensive feet, and a body that could make him a solid two-way player, much like Derrick White of the Boston Celtics and Grayson Allen of the Phoenix Suns, who play that role for their respective teams.

Those in the know can attest to Quiambao’s work ethic. Before a big game, he is the first to arrive at the venue to prepare for what could be a 35 to 40-minute tour of duty. And after the final buzzer sounds, he heads to the gym to “cool down” by lifting weights.

That’s why after leading De La Salle University to dramatic runs in Seasons 86 and 87 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines men’s basketball tournament, Quiambao decided to forego the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) to face a bigger challenge in the Korean Basketball League.

And now that he has asserted himself as one of the most reliable players in Asia, he is willing to chase a dream no Filipino has yet attained — to play in the NBA.

Reports have it that Quiambao is flying to the United States to prepare for a stint in the NBA Summer League. Nothing is sure at the moment, except that he has a handsome chance due to the fact that there are some people who are willing to help him like former PBA players Jimmy Alapag of the Sacramento Kings and Darvin Ham of the Milwaukee Bucks.

Should Quiambao’s goal of playing in the NBA Summer League push through, he will become the latest Filipino to intensify his chase of that elusive NBA dream following Ray Parks, Kiefer Ravena and Kai Sotto.

But are the Filipinos ready for the NBA? Or rather, is the NBA ready for the Filipinos? Definitely, yes.

Look, the NBA is more than just a basketball league. It is a massive entertainment and marketing vehicle that has a substantial global presence as it operates in numerous countries and territories from North America to small African nations like South Sudan.

Asia, however, has proven to be one of its biggest markets. Although there are Asians in the league right now, like Japanese Rui Hachimura of the Los Angeles Lakers, their population is nothing compared to the Africans and the Europeans.

In fact, no homegrown Southeast Asian is in the active roster of any of the 30 NBA teams right now despite the overwhelming support the league is getting from Asia, especially China, Japan, South Korea and the Philippines, which is two years removed from hosting the FIBA Basketball World Cup.

With that, maybe it’s about time a Filipino broke that barrier.

The closest we got to achieving that elusive dream was when 7-foot-3 Sotto joined the 2022 NBA Draft before playing for the Orlando Magic in the Summer League.

Sure, Sotto made quite a run during his five memorable games with the Magic, but it didn’t assure him of anything as he wrapped up his stint with an injured back that sent him to Asia via the Japan B League. Things, however, could have been different had he decided to gain more experience in the Euroleague rather than play for Team Ignited in the NBA G League when he was 18.

But with Quiambao, the Filipinos will get another chance. He has the size, the skills, the experience, and the heart to represent his basketball-crazy countrymen in the biggest and most prestigious league in the world.

Yes, making it to the NBA still seems unimaginable; it’s still a far-fetched dream.

Quiambao, however, never stops believing. It’s a dream, not just for himself and his family, but for countless basketball-loving Filipinos who never run out of hope as they face the challenges of daily life.

After all, as Quiambao said shortly after his plan to chase his NBA dream broke: A slim chance is better than no chance.

Well said, KQ. Good luck!