MANILA – Bacolodnon guard Kib Montalbo will soon be part of Blackwater Bossing. He is to be shipped by TNT Tropang Giga in a one-on-one trade transaction on Wednesday.
Based on the trade deal that is pending the PBA Commissioner’s Office’s approval, Montalbo along with a future second round pick is to be dealt to the Bossing in exchange for Rey Nambatac.
The transaction concluded the former De La Salle University Green Archers guard’s four-year stint with the Tropang Giga, which selected him 11th overall during the 2019 PBA Rookie Draft.
During his stay with TNT, the 6-footer Montalbo served as a defensive point guard for head coach Vincent “Chot” Reyes and was part of the franchise’s two PBA titles in 2021 Philippine Cup and 2023 Governors’ Cup.
Montalbo’s career at the Tropang Giga was also highlighted by two call-ups to the Gilas Pilipinas national team, including the silver medal-winning squad in the 2021 Southeast Asian Games.
During his final season with the Tropang Giga, Montalbo averaged 3.9 points, 1.2 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 0.7 steals, and 0.1 blocks in almost 18 minutes of action in a total of 23-game appearance.
At the Bossing, the former St. John’s Institute-Bacolod standout is to play with Bacolodnon and former Tropang Giga teammate Justin Chua and fellow Negrense James Yap.
Nambatac, on the other hand, will serve as an added offensive arsenal for the Tropang Giga, which failed to reach the semifinals round of the PBA Philippine Cup following an upset loss to Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in the quarterfinals.
The former Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights star’s transfer to the Tropang Giga came less than four months since he was acquired by the Bossing from the Painters via trade.
Nambatac normed 11.09 points, 4.36 assists and 2.36 rebounds in 11 games with the Bossing, but made just 36 percent of his shots – including a cold 26% from three-point area./PN
