Montalbo’s return gets a championship ending

MANILA, Philippines – From watching on the sideline as his team was eliminated from Final Four contention to cutting the net hanging from one of the rims at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum as La Salle celebrated a championship, the last two endings to DLSU’s campaigns for Kib Montalbo were significantly different.

Montalbo said before UAAP Season 79 that he had grown mature and become a better player while recovering from his torn ACL injury which kept him out of action in 2015, and then went on to prove it by averaging 6.7 points, 2.9 assists, and 2.7 boards a game.

In Game 2 of La Salle’s championship round against the Ateneo Blue Eagles, Montalbo came up with 9 points, 4 boards, and 3 steals to help his team seal the victory.

“Truly blessed for this opportunity to play and I thank God for everything,” Montalbo, a Bacolod native, said post-game.

“They’re our archrivals, tapos (then) I have a bigger role right now… thank you, Lord.”

Jeron Teng finished with 28 points to lead all scorers in the second game and won the Finals MVP, putting a fitting end to his collegiate career.

“He’s clutch, he’s clutch. He’s our leader and he’s really a veteran,” Montalbo said of his teammate.

With two years remaining on his playing eligibility, Montalbo will return next season as DLSU aims to defend its title and start a potential dynasty.

For now, the Green Archers will celebrate, but soon enough, it will be back to work.

“We’ll cherish this first, then back to January, back to work,” said Montalbo.

As for his personal goals, he kept it simple.

“I’ll just continue to improve and get better each and every day.” – Rappler.com