Ever since his third year, Kib Montalbo has been molded to be the next King Archer
Last season, Kib Montalbo had an unusual view of the De La Salle University Green Archers’s games. Sidelined for the entire year due to a torn ACL, the Bacolod native kept busy on the sidelines, learning the game from the perspective of former head coach Juno Sauler and his staff.
The year on the sidelines also taught the 5-foot-9 floor general a valuable lesson: that the team should play for each other.
La Salle’s dominant Season 79 campaign would not have been as imposing as it was without Montalbo’s production. Though he had come off the bench in all of the Green Archers’ 17 games, he was still able to lead their bench mob, and even lead the league in assists (2.8) and steals (2.8) — all career-highs.
And it’s all because of the lessons he learned during his one-year hiatus.
“Akala ng iba na we didn’t work hard, automatic champion, pero it’s not that e,” the 20-year-old said. “How you play as a team, yun yung importante. We showed it kanina – good ball movement and playing for each other.”
All of their hard work this season came into fruition after La Salle swept the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eaglesin two games to clinch their second crown in four years. Montalbo could not hide his relief over La Salle finally being at the top of collegiate basketball.
“Sobrang sarap! We worked so hard!,” exclaimed Montalbo, who scored nine points in the championship-clinching game. “Forming our team to play for each other. Feels so good lang talaga.”
“We proved ourselves.”
But with Jeron Teng, Thomas Torres, Jason Perkins, and Julian Sargent all gone next season, Montalbo will be the most senior of all the Green Archers. But he has admitted that he was being groomed to take this job for the longest time.
“Ngayon, they have been molding me, helping me to be a leader. Kahit sa seniors, I still talk to them,” he shared.
“I feel I led the second group. I’m starting to become La Salle’s leader and I’m ready for it.”
The training he has had both off (during his third year) and on (leading the second unit) has truly prepared Montalbo to be the next King Archer.
