La Salle guard Kib Montalbo and Mapua’s Allwell Oraeme get into a scuffle during the fourth quarter of the Green Archers’ win over the Cardinals in the 2016 Filoil Flying V Preseason Premier Cup Thursday, May 19, 2016, at San Juan Arena. Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
There is an obvious height disparity between Kib Montalbo and Allwell Oraeme, but when push came to shove, the La Salle guard proved he won’t back down from anyone, not even from Mapua’s 6-foot-9 center.
The two got entangled on a rebound play at the 7:30 mark of the fourth quarter in La Salle’s game against Mapua in the 2016 Filoil Flying V Preseason Premier Cup on Thursday, before their teammates tried to pacify the situation.
Both the 5-foot-10 Montalbo and Oraeme were attested disqualifying fouls which led to their ejection.
Montalbo explained that he didn’t do anything in the scuffle that would get him thrown out.
“I think the ref misinterpreted it kasi nahawakan ko lang sya, then nag-extra motion sya and natamaan na ako. Dumugo nga yung gums ko eh. Tumingin ako sa kanya and sabi ko, ‘Why did you do that?’” he said.
“Wala naman akong ginawa eh, walang punch, walang sapak, walang elbow. If thats what they think, I’ll go with it. I’ll accept the consequences, but I didn’t do anything. I have no intention to hurt him.”
La Salle went on to win the game, 93-76, and stay unbeaten after three games.
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Montalbo hopes the ejection would not lead to a suspension.
“Di ko alam kung mako-contest yun pero if ever, I have no choice but to sit it out.”
League rules state that a disqualifying foul automatically leads to a one-game suspension.
Still, Montalbo said that he won’t be pushed over by anyone else, regardless of the height difference.
“I never back down. We got each other’s back here. Alam ko na my team is going to be there for me pag nagkagulo, but we’re going to use our heads,” he said.
“Baka mali ko rin na nag-retaliate ako, pero I didn’t do anything to him. I just leave everything to him na whatever consequences, I’ll accept it.”
Montalbo and Oraeme shook hands on their way out of the venue.