MANILA, Philippines – “Ligang labas” (unsanctioned tournament) games have been a touchy subject for all top basketball leagues in the Philippines due to the risks they pose to high-profile players who get invited to play in them.
Top-flight leagues like the PBA and the NCAA have strict rules and punishments for those caught playing, especially those who did not seek permission from their mother teams, which is why UAAP MVP Kevin Quiambao recently came under scrutiny for participating in ligang labas while Season 87 is ongoing.
The UAAP, however, clears the Gilas Pilipinas prospect from any liability, as a 2021 rule reads that “there shall be no prohibition for any student-athlete and/or sports team of any Member University from simultaneously participating in other tournaments or leagues while participating in the UAAP.”
Likely well aware of this rule, Quiambao has grown a reputation for being a complete basketball junkie, working huge hours in the gym and accepting multiple game invites that strike his fancy, though he did end up having to explain his most recent junket since it was an unusual mid-season side gig.
“I report all my moves to management, to Coach Topex (Robinson), to all the coaching staff,” he said in Filipino. “And they give their blessing as long as I take care of myself.”
“Rule No. 1 for us in the team is use your judgment. Whatever you want to do in life, just do it. But the team is always on the line with whatever you do.”
Quiambao, a very strong candidate for a back-to-back UAAP MVP coup, did refute, however, that he got large sums of money for his recent appearance at Vista Laiya in Sariaya, Quezon, after saying that he did it “for his family.”
“For my family, that’s why I did it. But for that amount, that’s not true. Never, never. I don’t receive that kind of amount,” he continued.
“That was a debt of gratitude to Vista Laiya where I played because [the owners] live near us. They’re from Las Pinas near [my hometown] Alabang. Ever since I was a kid, they’ve been taking care of me.” – Rappler.com