Kib Montalbo isn’t letting the jitters get in the way of his Gilas Pilipinas debut in the FIBA World Cup 2023 Asian Qualifiers tonight at SMART Araneta Coliseum.
The 5-foot-11 point guard will finally experience playing for flag and country. He’s part of the 12-man crew that will take on India later at 6:00 p.m.
He would have made his national team debut on Thursday had it not been for the last-minute pull out of South Korea due to a COVID-19 breakout within the team. One of its players tested positive hours before departure.
“I don’t really think about that,” said Montalbo. “Just trying to play, stay locked in like what Coach wants me to do, and be ready.”
But he didn’t hide the excitement on his part, and he feels immensely honored to receive the opportunity to wear the national tricolors.
“It’s an honor. It’s a blessing, too, that I’m here and I’m looking forward to it. I’m excited,” he said.
“But I try to remain calm and be locked in for the game.”
The La Salle product couldn’t be at fault for feeling that way. After all, he never really expected that he would be part of the pool, let alone be considered.
Montalbo still remembers how surprised he felt when asked to join the national team’s morning training in the TNT bubble in Batangas. It actually took him a while to digest that he is, indeed, with Gilas.
Photo by PBA Images
“Nagulat ako kasi bigla lang akong naging part sa parang morning training. And actually, sina kuya Jayson [Castro] gave me a heads-up to be ready,” he told Tiebreaker Times.
“I didn’t know that it’s really gonna happen. But then, when I got to train and be part of the pool, that’s where it all sunk in,” he recalled.
“Again, I’m blessed to be here, and I’m enjoying every second of it.”
Montalbo feels that his inclusion also serves as a testament to the work he’s been putting in, and to his growth as a player as well.
“During the offseason, I was really working hard. I don’t know what for, and I think it was for this,” he offered. “I really put in the work.
“And grateful for Coach Chot [Reyes] for letting me be here and be part of this.”
Now, Montalbo is not only part of the pool – he’ll actually play. But then again, the 26-year-old isn’t letting that eagerness get in his head. Instead, he’s trying to stay as locked in as he can for there’s a bigger goal to accomplish.
“We just gotta go in and not be complacent. We just gotta lock in, focus,” said the defensive specialist.
“Right now, I’m really locked in sa game, looking forward to it; and just go out there and play our game.”
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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.
