When Kib Montalbo was included in the Gilas lineup versus India, many questioned the decision.
How could a 6-foot role player be part of an elite cast they wondered? What makes him better than Overtime Elite prospect Lebron Lopez or MPBL Lakan Season MVP Gab Banal?
And the 25-year-old guard out of La Salle heard all of it.
“Everybody is entitled to their own opinion and even the greats have doubters,” he said. “They will always be there.
“It’s a chip on my shoulder, proving that I belong. I just go out there to win.”
By all accounts, the defensive specialist out of Bacolod had a debut to remember.
Montalbo fired all eight of his points during Gilas’ third quarter flurry against India that turned a 44-32 halftime lead into a 68-47 beatdown.
Despite putting up good numbers, what mattered most for Montalbo was getting the win.
“I really don’t rate my game but it was a decent one and I think I played great defense and we got the win,” said Montalbo, who also had three rebounds and a steal in Gilas’ 88-64 victory to open their 2023 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers campaign. “That is what is really important for me no matter what my performance is.
“Ang pinaka importante is I want to win.”
Many were surprised by the instant impact given by Montalbo. But not his head coach Chot Reyes.
“Very, very happy for Kib but honestly I’m not surprised cause that’s the type of player that he is,” beamed Reyes. “He knows his role, comes off the bench, he’s our defensive spark. He’s gonna go after and really give problems to the opposing ball handler but the good thing with Kib is that he has rounded up his game and now you just cannot keep him open.
“And credit to his teammates, they trusted him and they found him in open spots and Kib simply delivered, he did what he normally does.“
On Sunday, Montalbo will face the toughest opponent he has ever faced.
Definitely, it’s better than Ateneo, San Miguel, or Magnolia. It’s the best from down south, the New Zealand Tall Blacks.
And he vows to go all out come once the buzzer sounds.
“It’s one of a kind. Not everybody has this opportunity,” he said. “Whatever I learn here, I will bring it to the PBA.
“For now, I’m just enjoying every moment, each day, taking it one moment at a time.”
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All Group A games of the 2023 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers will stream live on GigaPlay. Download it now on Android or IOS.
The second game of each playdate is also livestreamed on SMART Sports.
