From the Visayan Daily Star –
St. John’s Institute star player Kirell Brandon “Kib” Montalbo is set to join the De La Salle University Green Archers team when he enters college in June.
In a message sent to the DAILY STAR, Montalbo’s father, Roger, said his son has decided to join the Green Archers and they will finalize the details of his entry to DLSU this weekend in Manila with the team managers.
Dexter Dy, Montalbo’s mentor in SJI, had earlier said that both La Salle and Ateneo De Manila University presented good offers for Montalbo.
Both schools assured the young cager from Bacolod City that his needs will be taken care of and his potentials as a player will be further developed.
Dy said La Salle has been persistent in trying to get Montalbo as top honchos of the team had flown over from Manila last year to observe him play during the NOPSSCEA junior basketball championship.
La Salle head coach Gee Abanilla said the young Montalbo is a crucial piece in the puzzle as the Green Archers aim to win the UAAP basketball championship this year.
Montalbo’s progress in basketball has been closely followed up by La Salle chief recruiter David Dichupa, who said he was impressed with Kib’s performance in the past seven years.
Eric Ongkauko, one of the team mangers of the Green Archers, said they are happy to have Montalbo in the team.
Known for his outside shooting skills as well as his dazzling moves inside the paint, the young Falcon from SJI earlier said he is grateful for the offer from both the DLSU and ADMU to join their team.
Aside from being good in playing basketball, Montalbo also maintains good marks in his academics.
He made waves in the local basketball scene, not only in the NOPSSCEA juniors division but also in various tournaments such as those sponsored by the Bacolod City-based Fil-Sino Athletic Cub.
During the NOPSSCEA finals last year, Montalbo led SJI in dethroning defending champion West Negros University Junior Mustangs in the semifinals then went on to sweep the University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos Junior Rams in the best-of-three finals.
He was part of the 2010 Jr. NBA All Star–Philippines team that saw action in China.*NAB