Stronger, more mature Montalbo says ACL injury ‘blessing in disguise’

MANILA, Philippines – DLSU guard Kib Montalbo now considers the ACL tear injury he suffered back in May 2015 a “blessing in disguise” as he returns to the UAAP men’s basketball tournament a stronger and more mature player with improved shooting.

Speaking with Rappler during the UAAP Season 79 press conference on Tuesday, August 30, the Bacolod native said of his injury: “For me, it was just a blessing in disguise. I got stronger, improved my shooting, became more mature.”

Montalbo suffered the injury in the first half of a FilOil preseason game against the UE Red Warriors. He was afterwards ruled out for the UAAP season, where the Green Archers could have used his skills in their underperforming 6-8 campaign.

“It was a long year for me, 2015. A lot of things happened, and it was hard, but I didn’t regret that I had an ACL [tear]. It was a very good lesson for me, and now I’m back and I’m much stronger,” he said.

“I did swimming all the time, but for me, the most painful part was when they were trying to push my knee, cause I had to bend it,” Montalbo said about the recovery process.

“Trying to walk again – learning to walk, like a baby. That’s basically the thing – it’s like you’re a baby. You learn how to walk, you learn how to jump, you learn how to land, you learn how to run,” he added.

Montalbo, a highly-touted product of St John’s Institute in Bacolod City, played only 8.6 minutes a game in his 2013 rookie season, averaging 1.6 points and 1.9 rebounds a game. His numbers improved in his second year to 4.1 points and 2.7 rebounds in 21.4 minutes a contest, and those were expected to even rise some more in his third season in 2015 before the injury.

The 5-foot-9 combo guard expects to have his best collegiate basketball season to date in the upcoming UAAP season, where he will play under a new head coach in Aldin Ayo who will use a fast-paced and trap-heavy system – a game plan Montalbo is excited to play with.

“I really like the fast-paced game, ’cause that’s my strength,” he said. “Coach gives me the confidence, trying to bring back my high school game. I’ll have more touches. I have the green light to shoot.”

As far as the fear factor of suffering another similar injury, the La Salle senior said: “I don’t put it in my head. I’m too blessed that I’m back here on the court. And I always pray to God to guide me. If I think about it – what if this happens again – that’s the chance you’ll get injured, because you think about it too much.”

“What I’m doing, is that I’m just playing the game of basketball.”

On the team’s goal this season, Montalbo didn’t shy away from saying La Salle wants to win the UAAP title, but admitted it will be a long process.

“Our goal is to win the championship, but to get there, we must win every game. We must play possession per possession.”

Montalbo and the Green Archers make their season debut on Wednesday, September 7, against the FEU Tamaraws. – Rappler.com