GOYANG, South Korea — The players traded celebrations during the series, but in the end, it was mutual respect that stood out. It showed the kind of character Kevin Quiambao has.
Quiambao delivered 19 points, four 3-pointers and nine rebounds as Goyang Sono edged Seoul SK 66-65 in Game 3 of the Korean Basketball League quarterfinals on April 16 at Sono Arena.
A go-ahead jumper by Nathan Knight with four seconds remaining sealed the win, completing a sweep and sending Sono to the semifinals for the first time in their franchise history.
Quiambao came out firing, scoring 13 points in the opening 4:10 of the first quarter, including three straight 3-pointers. While his scoring cooled off afterward — he logged 36 minutes, second-most on the team behind Lee Jung-hyun — his early burst proved decisive against an SK defense that switched aggressively, even putting him against Jameel Warney to take away the perimeter.
“I prepared hard for every game, every moment,” Quiambao said afterward. “I tried to execute the coach’s game plan as best as I could. It feels great to get the win. And with the tight schedule, I want to give credit to our trainers for keeping us ready.”
Trading celebrations, but not losing focus
Game 2 featured a brief moment of gamesmanship when SK’s Choi Won-hyuk mimicked Quiambao’s signature celebration after hitting a 3-pointer. It was the kind of tension typical in a playoff series, but Quiambao didn’t waver.
He led the way with 22 points per game in the sweep, along with 4.3 3-pointers (43.3%), six rebounds, four assists and a steal. Late in the third quarter of Game 3, he knocked down a 3 to extend the lead to double digits and responded with a celebration toward the SK bench.
Asked about it, he downplayed the exchange.
“It wasn’t a problem for me at all,” Quiambao said. “Those things happen when both sides are locked in. I was just focused on maintaining our momentum. The celebrations just came naturally with the adrenaline.”
He then showed a different side, offering support for Choi, who suffered a back injury late in the game after colliding with Knight and was unable to take his free throws.
“I heard he got hurt. I hope he recovers soon,” Quiambao said.
Rising Above the Nois
The series itself had been surrounded by controversy. SK faced criticism — and a league fine — for what was perceived as manipulating matchups to draw Sono in the first round.
Sono head coach Son Chang-hwan had responded during media day by saying the team had been “provoked.”
Quiambao, however, stayed measured.
“It felt like the younger players didn’t get the respect they deserved,” he said carefully. “But instead of focusing on who SK chose, I just focused on what I needed to do.”
Looking ahead
Sono now advances to face regular-season champion Changwon LG, a team it split 3-3 with during the regular season.
Quiambao isn’t overthinking it.
“Rather than worrying about LG or how to attack them, we’re focused on our roles,” he said. “If we execute on both ends, I think it can be a great series.”
By Chang-hwan Choi | Photos by Bok-ju Moon
This translation was reviewed with the assistance of AI.
[저작권자ⓒ 점프볼. 무단전재-재배포 금지]
