Crack guard goes green

MANILA, Philippines - Ending months of speculation, Bacolod’s highly-recruited guard Kib Montalbo committed the other day to enrol at La Salle and play for the Green Archers senior men’s basketball varsity in a declaration before San Miguel Corp. chairman Eduardo (Danding) Cojuangco, coach Gee Abanilla and soon-to-be-teammate Jeron Teng.

Montalbo was with his father Roger and St. John’s Institute high school coach Dexter Dy in announcing his decision during lunch at Cojuangco’s home on Balete Drive. The 5-11, 154-pound, 16-year-old incoming rookie was also welcomed by team managers Terry Capistrano and Raffy Villavicencio, assistant coach Juno Sauler, skills coach Joe Ward, chief recruiter Dave Dichupa, office of sports development director Emmanuel Calanog and Teng’s parents Alvin and Susan in the coming-out meeting.

“I’m happy and excited to join the Archers,” said Montalbo who has led St. John’s to two of the last three Negros Occidental Private Schools Sports, Cultural and Educational Association (NOPSSCEA) junior championships. “It’s always been my dream to play in the UAAP. All the hard work has paid off. It was a long process before I decided where to enrol. I’m grateful to the schools that showed interest. It’s a big challenge for me to make an impact at La Salle. My goal is to contribute to the team in a positive way. Of course, I’d like to be Rookie of the Year, too, but that’s not my main goal. I’m looking forward to working with coach Gee and my teammates. To be able to play with Jeron is a blessing. I know coach Joe can help me in my skills set. I hope to improve my game and play a meaningful role with La Salle.”

Abanilla said there’s no doubt Montalbo will make a difference. “He’s a pass-first guard with a high basketball IQ,” said Abanilla. “He’s ambidextrous and he can attack from the left or the right flank. He’s a welcome addition to our team.” La Salle point guard L. A. Revilla recently underwent ankle surgery and will be out of commission for at least three more months. Montalbo and sophomore point guard Thomas Torres are expected to fill the vacuum.

Early last year, Montalbo raised eyebrows when he dropped 41 points on eventual titlist University of Visayas in St. John’s first game at the National Junior Championships in Baguio City. He led St. John’s to the Final 4 and averaged 36 points in the tournament.  

Dy likened Montalbo to Jayson Castro in terms of speed and L. A. Tenorio in terms of playmaking ability. “I was fortunate to coach Kib when he transferred from Tay Tung to St. John’s three years ago,” said Dy, a La Salle political science graduate who began coaching as a hobby until he took it more seriously after piloting Hardiflex to the Bacolod championship in 2009. “When Kib was 13, he was picked to join the Junior NBA program where the age limit is 14. Right now, Kib has the ability to compete in the UAAP. He can easily adjust to situations. He can make pin-point passes and find the open man. He’s a combo-guard. He can shoot, penetrate and dish. Kib is a pressure player. I’m confident he’ll do well at La Salle.  He’s the type of player who’ll go with the flow.”

Montalbo said he was introduced to basketball by his father Roger who played with the La Salle Bacolod varsity. “My first sports were billiards and swimming,” said Montalbo. “I didn’t focus on basketball until I was in Grade 4. My father taught me everything about the game, how to dribble with both hands, how to shoot. At St. John’s, coach Dexter worked on my skills set and gave me the opportunity to play within a team concept.” He said his idols are Chris Paul in the NBA and Castro in the PBA. 

Montalbo’s nickname Kib is taken from his full name Kirrell Brahndon. The oldest of three, he said his father named him after NBA guard Terrell Brandon. His younger brother Klyde Brehxler was named after NBA star Clyde Drexler. His sister is Khryzia Beatrize.

 Montalbo’s father said all the signs pointed to his son joining La Salle. “The color of the year is emerald green,” he smiled. “Besides, as early as five years ago, Dave already had his eye on Kib when he was playing in the Milo SBP tournament. Dave was with Dindo Pumaren and Tonichi Yturri when they scouted Kib as a sophomore then was with coach Gee in the Western Visayas finals last year. La Salle was very persistent and serious about Kib. I know with coach Joe’s guidance, Kib will improve a lot and learn from his tips. Kib has the talent to make an immediate impact in the UAAP and as a La Salle graduate myself, I’m excited to watch him play with the Archers. I can guarantee he’ll make his teammates, especially the big guys, happy with his precision passing.”