Kib Montalbo is grateful for the opportunity to flourish under new coach Aldin Ayo. as the De La Salle University Green Archers continue to dominate the UAAP Season 79 basketball tournament.
A year after being sidelined with an ACL injury, Montalbo showed why he was one of the hottest recruits back in 2013 during the Green Archers’ unbeaten run.
Montalbo had 12 points, eight rebounds, six assists, and three steals to help power La Salle to a 91-75 win over the Adamson University Soaring Falcons that gave the Taft Avenue squad an unblemished 5-0 record, while moving two victories shy of sweeping the first round.
His performance earned him the ACCEL Quantum/3XVI-UAAP Press Corps Player of the Week honors, becoming the third straight La Sallian to earn the citation after Ben Mbala and Jeron Teng.
“It’s a blessing in disguise,” Montalbo said, referring to the injury which he had suffered prior to last season’s UAAP campaign.
“I’m really happy that I’m back on the floor, especially sa system ni coach. I really like that pace, yung magulo. And whatever my role is, I’ll accept it.”
Ayo is pleased that the 5-foot-9 product of St. John’s Institute in Bacolod City is thriving under his system that focuses on implementing a stingy defense known as “Mayhem”.
“Si Kib naman steady e,” said Ayo.
“He prioritizes defense, yung mga intangibles. He just goes with the flow and executes on offense.”
Montalbo won the weekly honor over the following student-athletes:
