Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times
Filoil 2018 DLSU vs. Gilas Cadets – Ricci Rivero-1228
Filoil 2018 DLSU vs. Gilas Cadets – Ricci Rivero-1228

Basketball

No extra motivation for Kib Montalbo, Green Archers: ‘Kahit Team USA pa yan, dapat La Salle basketball’


There was clear tension in the audience when the De La Salle University Green Archers took on the Gilas Pilipinas cadets on Friday evening in the 2018 Filoil Flying V Preseason Cup, presented by Chooks-to-Go.

For the first time, the Green Archers were facing their former brother-in-arms Ricci Rivero, who left La Salle last April 5.

During the entire course of the contest, third-year guard Aljun Melecio hounded Rivero over the entire length of the floor, while newcomers like Niel Tolentino and Miggy Corteza also had their shot of defending the UAAP Season 80 Men’s Basketball Most Improved Player. Rivero ended the night with just six points on 2-of-8 shooting and four turnovers.

It seemed at first that Rivero would have the last laugh, as the Cadets had a strong start, leading by as much as 20 points in the first half. But behind the leadership of Kib Montalbo, the Green Archers slowly sliced the lead before taking a dominant 91-72 win.

For first-year head coach Louie Gonzalez, the game itself had no other implications. The only motivation they had was how they could compete with Philippine collegiate basketball’s finest.

“Malaking opportunity kasi talaga ito, malaking test yang National Team. Whatever you say thats the best of the best e,” shared Gonzalez.

“Magandang opportunity for a young team like us na makipag-compete sa kanila.”

This sentiment was echoed by skipper Montalbo. The Green Archer was all over the place in the contest, finishing with 25 points, eight rebounds, six assists, and five steals. Moreover, it was Montalbo’s three straight triples that capped La Salle’s furious 20-1 run that baffled the Cadets.

#ReadMore  PVL: Sharma, Akari vent ire on Nxled for second win

Filoil-2018-DLSU-vs.-Gilas-Cadets-Montalbo-1498 No extra motivation for Kib Montalbo, Green Archers: 'Kahit Team USA pa yan, dapat La Salle basketball' Basketball DLSU News  - philippine sports news

“We’re friends outside of the court,” Montalbo said about Rivero. “But kahit sino kalaban namin, what we need to do in the court is play La Salle basketball.

“Kahit Team USA pa yan, dapat mindset is La Salle basketball.”

The only motivation Montalbo and the Green Archers had for the contest was each other.

“Mino-motivate din kasi ako ng teammates ko e. I see them fighting everyday sa practice.”

Written By


You May Also Like

Basketball

After De La Salle University’s Game 1 loss to the University of the Philippines in the UAAP Season 87  Men’s Basketball Finals, Mike Phillips...

Basketball

When their backs are against the wall, there’s only one player the defending champion De La Salle University want with the ball in his...

Basketball

Numbers and statistics may explain why Kevin Quiambao is now a back-to-back MVP in the UAAP, but for Topex Robinson, it goes beyond that....

Basketball

In an epic defined by heart-stopping drama and clutch heroics, Kevin Quiambao and Mike Phillips refused to go down, willing De La Salle University...

Basketball

For Joshua David, the storybook ending to his UAAP career seems further away than ever. The La Salle senior is in the final stretch...

Basketball

De La Salle University may have lost the first battle in the UAAP Season 87 Finals against the University of the Philippines, but Mike...

Basketball

De La Salle University head coach Topex Robinson downplayed a post-game incident between him and members of the University of the Philippines following Game...

Basketball

After a subdued second-half performance in Game One of the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Finals, De La Salle University star Kevin Quiambao...

Advertisement