MANILA, Philippines — Reigning UAAP MVP Kevin Quiambao assured that his “ligang labas” gig is just for his family and got a green light from La Salle coaches and managers.

Quiambao has been drawing flak on social media over his appearance in a recreational league last November 2.

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But Quiambao remained focused on their title retention bid in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament, leading La Salle with 15 points, five rebounds, and three assists to beat the University of the Philippines, 77-66, and secure the top seed in the Final Four on Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

READ: UAAP: La Salle clinches top seed, beats UP again

He also denied the reports about receiving a huge amount of money.

“For my family, ginawa ko lang. Pero, yung gano’ng kalaking halaga, hindi totoo yun. Never, never. Kasi, hindi naman ako tumatanggap ng gano’ng kalaking halaga,” said Quiambao.  “Utang na loob yun sa Vista Laiya na pinaglaruan ko dahil malapit sila sa akin, Taga Las Piñas sila malapit sila  sa Alabang. Simula bata ako, inalagaan na nila ako.”

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UAAP has a clear line for a student-athlete to play recreational games as long as it’s not a professional league or sanctioned by the Games and Amusement Board (GAB).

Here’s an excerpt from the rulebook approved in 2021:

9.4 Except as provided in this Amateur Status Rule, 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.

Quiambao said he got the blessing to play from coach Topex Robinson, who even joked about his appearance in a “ligang labas” after the game. 

READ: New dad Kevin Quiambao relishes UAAP break

“Lahat ng galaw ko pinapaalam ko sa management namin, kay coach Topex, sa lahat ng coaching staff,” he said. “Then, may basbas naman sila na ayun, ingatan mo lang sarili mokasi rule number one namin sa team, use your judgment kumbaga  kung anong gusto mong gawin mo sa buhay, gawin mo lang.Basta yung team nakasalalay diyan sa lahat ng gagawin mo.”

The Gilas Pilipinas forward doesn’t mind the criticisms and uses some of it as motivation to play better.

“Hindi naman natin makakontrol kung ano yung mga masasabi nila, yung emotions nila sa akin. But, ang kontrolado ko lang is kung ano yung pwede kong gawin. Kumbaga keyboard warrior lang yan eh, wala akong mapapala dyan, wala akong matutunan dyan,” Quiambao said. “Once na makikita mga comments nila, added motivation din yun na, kailangan ko pang magstrive for more  wala akong and then, ayun na, yung resulta na lang, bahala sa kanila.”