Kevin Quiambao will replace Ange Kouame in Strong Group Realty’s lineup for the 32nd Dubai International Basketball Championship starting on Friday.
Pressed for time, Strong Group Realty head coach Charles Tiu took to Twitter to ask suggestions for big men who hold Philippine passports as options to replace former Ateneo standout Ange Kouame.
Thankfully, De La Salle Green Archer Kevin Quiambao was up and ready for the task, and with just three days before the team’s debut in the 32nd Dubai International Basketball Championship, coach Tiu confirmed that he has talked to La Salle head coach Topex Robinson with the help of EOG’s JR Guevara.
“We decided to ask Kevin Quiambao, and thankfully DLSU allowed him to join. It will be a great experience for him,” said Tiu, reported Tiebreaker Times.
If all goes well with his rushed visa application, Strong Group will parade the reigning UAAP Rookie of the Year who averaged 11.23 points, 6.54 rebounds, 3.23 assists, and 1.08 steals, together with other formidable biggies in Korea-bound La Salle product Justine Baltazar, current NCAA MVP Will Gozum, and new UP star recruit LeBron Lopez.
Aside from these flashy names of bigs from the local basketball scene, Strong Group also secured heavy gunners led by former NBA players Nick Young, Renaldo Balkman, and Shabazz Muhammad, together with locals Jerom Lastimosa, JD Cagulangan, BJ Andrade, Migs Oczon, Inand Fornillos, and Sedrick Barefield.
Tiu’s crowdsourcing on Twitter resulted in names Rabeh Al-Hussaini, Henry Galinato, Michael Phillips, and Andray Blatche, Rappler reported.
Before seeking help, the Jacob Lao- owned group was eyeing either Justin Brownlee or Andray Blatche — both of whom were part of Mighty Sports — as replacement for Kouame.
Unfortunately, Brownlee has Ginebra commitments while Blatche is already committed to a team.
“Don’t know how he will pick things up, but hopefully, he will cause he’s a high IQ player anyways,” Tiu added.
Tags: #basketball, #internationalcompetition, #StrongGroup