MANILA – Bacolodnon guard Kib Montalbo might be known as one of the calmest players on the court, but he once ignited a “basketbrawl” when he was still with the De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers.
He instigated a free-for-all encounter between the Green Archers and Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws during the 2017 Kadayawan Cup in Davao City.
Montalbo – now an incoming rookie for the Talk ‘N Text KaTropa in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) – got into a bumping match with Tamaraws big man Kenneth Tuffin while the Green Archers were trailing 59-73 late in the third quarter.
“Ako ‘yung isa sa mga main stars noon,” Montalbo said during the CPT Crossover Podcast of Bacolodnon sportswriter Cedelf Tupas. “Sa amin (Green Archers) nagsimula ‘yung gulo.”
“Nagkabangaan kami ni Tuffin. Pero ‘yung banga, normal lang ‘yun eh. Pisikal din sila at first pero laban lang kami,” he added. “‘Nung nagkabangaan na, doon nagsimula ‘yung gulo. Pero kung hindi nangyari yun, walang gulo.”
Even coaches of the both sides got involved.
“Alam mo sino nag-start ng away? ‘Yung dalawang mabait sa DLSU at FEU,” said former Green Archers and now San Miguel-Alab Pilipinas guard Andrei Caracut, who was also a guest in the podcast.
“Noong nagkukwento ‘yung FEU, sinasabi nila na isa sa pinakamabait si Tuffin. Sa La Salle naman, isa sa pinakamabait si Kib (Montalbo),” he added.
As a punishment, both the Green Archers and the Tamaraws were disqualified from the competition.
Montalbo, who had stints in the PBA D-League and in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League, said the brawl served as a great lesson for him ahead his debut in the biggest caging league of the country.
“First time ko ‘yun (masangkot sa gulo sa basketball). At least, naka-try na ako,” said the former St. John’s Institute-Bacolod guard. “But basketball is a small world. Kahit kakampi mo dati makakalaban mo.”
The 2017 Kadayawan Cup trophy was awarded to the University of Santo Tomas. It was the lone bright spot in the forgetful stint of Boy Sablan as Tigers head coach./PN
