MANILA – Bacolodnon guard Kib Montalbo is expected to be sidelined in TNT Tropang Giga’s upcoming matches in the 2022 PBA Philippine Cup as he recovers from groin injury.
According to the former De La Salle University Green Archers guard, he suffered a strain on the said part during their 85-78 loss to the Blackwater Bossing earlier this month and has not played since then.
“Nakalaro ako ng full game (against Blackwater) pero that time masakit na siya. Tight,” Montalbo said. “Pagdating ng next day, I felt it at wala na siyang lakas. Then, nung pina-check namin sa doktor, may punit.”
Montalbo, a former St. John’s Institute-Bacolod star before being recruited to the Green Archers, bared that there was no timetable for his return to the Tropang Giga but he hopes that it will happen soonest.
“There’s no timetable yet because it’s a groin injury so it will depend on my healing. Can’t wait to be back and contribute to the team” said Montalbo, who is speeding up his recovery with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy.
Another motivation for the Bacolod City-native guard’s desire to return to action was the bashing he is receiving from netizens following Gilas Pilipinas’ stunning defeat in the 31st Southeast Asian Games.
“I know, I’m one of the most hated guards now,” Montalbo said in an interview with Tiebreaker Times. “Ako, gutom na gutom talaga ako. I’m a winner. I hate losing. Kahit sa scrimmage, naba-bad trip akong matalo.”
“The standard of a great guard here (both in Gilas and TNT) is Jayson Castro, Jimmy Alapag, guards who can really score. What I give to the team is not scoring. It’s my defensive intensity, my intangibles,” he added.
“You won’t see what I do in the stats. Zero points. Kung zero points talaga ako, parang wala talaga akong kwenta,” he further said. “But all those little details I do – pressuring defense, hustling, giving extra passes – that’s how I help the team.”
The defending champions Tropang Giga are currently in the middle of the PBA Philippine Cup standings with its 3-2 win-loss slate. Their title-retention bid is expected to be bolstered by the impending return of Rookie of the Year winner Mikey Williams./PN
