KEVIN Quiambao of EcoOil-La Salle and Jacob Cortez of Marinerong Pilipino-San Beda insist winning the championship trophy comes first before anything else.
The two collegiate stars are the leading candidates for the PBA D-League Aspitants' Cup Most Valuable Player award that also includes Kurt Reyson of Wangs Basketball @27 Strikers-Letran and Cyrus Nitura of the University of Perpetual Help System Dalta.
"It's a great honor to be in the list but that's not the main goal. Ayokong hindi i-involve ang teammates ko. Gusto ko mag-champion kami dito sa PBA D-League," said Quiambao who graced Tuesday's Philippine Sports Association (PSA) Forum at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.
Cortez, who was also guest at the weekly forum said: "The MVP is not what I want. Being the champion is the main goal. We're focused on winning it."
The Archers and the Red Lions are headed for collission on Thursday as they start their best-of-three titular series at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
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Quiambao, a former member of Gilas Pilipinas and UAAP Rookie of the Year, has been playing superbly in the tournament. He averaged 21.0 points, 9.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists helping La Salle earn its second trip to the finals of the tournament that was shelved for three years due to the pandemic.
Cortez, for his part, tallied 18.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists for San Beda, currently in the course of rebuilding since coach Yuri Escuetatook over.
"Winning the MVP is only a side quest and bonus. I'd be thankful for my teammates and coaches but the focus is the championship," declared Cortez, whose father, Mike, is a former PBA player.
Quiambao echoed the same sentiment while crediting his teammates as well as new head Topex Robinson and deputy mentor Gian Nazario for his improvement in just his second year.
"Kung makuha ko man po 'yung MVP, thankful po ako kasi 'di ko po makukuha 'yun kung sakali kung hindi dahil sa coaches at teammates ko," beamed Quiambao. (JBU)
