Daily Tribune
Gilas Pilipinas will need more of Kevin Quiambao’s all-around effort to pull off an upset over unbeaten Australia in the third window of the 2027 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifier.
Photograph courtesy of FIBA
Gilas Pilipinas head coach Tim Cone sees young gun Kevin Quiambao continuing to play a big role in the team’s bid to arrest a three-game slide and end the first round of the 2027 FIVB World Cup Asian Qualifier on a positive note.
Sustaining Quiambao’s explosion in the previous match in Auckland will be crucial when the Philippines battle host Australia today in Perth.
The De La Salle University product had a breakout game in Gilas’ gallant stand against the might of powerhouse New Zealand last Friday in the Filipinos’ first of two road games in the third window.
Although Gilas’ effort didn’t translate into a victory in a 102-106 double-overtime decision, Quiambao delivered the numbers as a glimpse of a bright future for the Gilas program.
He scored 23 points, the same as the output of another youngblood in Juan Gomez de Liaño, and sank baskets that mattered the most in the extended encounter.
Cone expects more of those from the 25-year-old against the Boomers side that Gilas has not beaten in 52 years.
“He’s a great athlete and we’re going to hopefully see more of that with KQ,” Cone said.
Quiambao flourished in a converted role as Cone slid him down to a shooting guard spot from his natural forward position to add some size in Gilas’ backcourt.
He shot 9-of-16 from the floor with three rebounds, two assists, one steal and a block in over 37 minutes of playing time.
“Well, yeah, we wanted to get a little bit more size in the backcourt, so we moved him back there because we felt his skills were good enough,” Cone said.
“He can do a little bit of ball-handling. He can shoot in the perimeter. Obviously, he gets to the rim as well.”
The 2026 Korean Basketball League Rookie of the Year, playing for the Goyang Sono Skygunners, knows the big responsibility on his shoulders and embraces the pressure of expectations.
“I must stay ready to play for the country every time, in every call-up, as much as possible. I want to be available for the country,” the two-time University Athletic Association of the Philippines Most Valuable Player said.
“I mean, we have a great bunch of guys in the team now. Star players in their respective clubs. So, for me, I just want to be able to help the team under the triangle system (of Coach Tim Cone).”
