Kevin Quiambao steps up as Gilas faces injury woes ahead of Australia quarterfinals match in Asia Cup

Gilas Pilipinas has been hit with a pair of costly injuries heading into the knockout stage of the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup. Athletic guard CJ Perez went down with an ankle injury in the second quarter, just moments after checking into the game, while TNT forward Calvin Oftana has been ruled out for the rest of the tournament. In the wake of these setbacks, Kevin Quiambao has once again risen to the occasion, proving his value as a reliable and versatile contributor for the national squad.

At just 24 years old, Quiambao is the youngest member of this Gilas lineup. Fresh off a strong campaign and a finals appearance with the De La Salle Green Archers in UAAP Season 87, he now plays professionally with the Goyang Sono Skygunners in the Korean Basketball League. 

Despite the pressure, the former UAAP star made his presence felt in Gilas’ hard-earned 95-88 overtime victory against host Saudi Arabia, knocking down crucial shots and executing smart plays in the game’s most decisive moments.

Quiambao finished with 17 points, three assists, and three steals, with six of his points coming in overtime—nearly half of Gilas’ 16 markers in the extra period. He also posted an impressive game-high +24 when on the floor, underscoring his impact on both ends of the court.

READY FOR A BREA[KQ]THROUGH

After Kevin Quiambao’s extended minutes and stellar showing in the FIBA #AsiaCup2025, Coach Sean Chambers heaped praise on the Gilas Pilipinas young gun for his high-level skills and composure on the international stage.#GilasPilipinas pic.twitter.com/sznocBx19M

— One Sports (@OneSportsPHL) August 12, 2025

 “We just played the next man up,” Quiambao said after the game. “We lost two players but we trusted coach Tim’s system and everyone who believed in us.”

The young forward is determined to maximize the opportunity and continue elevating his game in the absence of key teammates. “We’ll focus on ourselves and what we can improve on,” he said, stressing the importance of staying locked in.

 Looking ahead, Quiambao knows the challenge that awaits in the quarterfinals. “We can’t just look ahead to Australia. We know they’re a powerhouse team but we’ll do our best to prepare for our next game.”

Gilas will square off against Australia on Wednesday night at 7 p.m. (Manila time).

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