PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines—Carl Montgomery has big shoes to fill in replacing Denzel Bowles as Rain or Shine’s import in the 2019 PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
Bowles averaged 28.9 points, 11.8 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.3 blocks in nine games before suffering a knee injury four days ago with the Elasto Painters in the thick of the playoff race.
Montgomery made his PBA debut Wednesday and though he may not be as explosive as Bowles, the long-haired big man showed he can get the job done.
“He’s not the biggest import, not the tallest, not the strongest but he was able to give us the energy at the start of the second half when he started scoring,” ROS head coach Caloy Garcia said of Montgomery.
READ: Rain or Shine parades new import, holds on to beat Magnolia
The 30-year-old Montgomery had 20 points, 12 rebounds and four assists with two steals and two blocks to boot—not bad for someone who just arrived Monday and only had two practices before playing his first game.
Montgomery vows to improve as he gets in more practices with his new teammates and further understands Garcia’s system and how the game is played in the PBA.
“It’s a very physical game. I felt like I played to the best of my abilities and my team picked me up. I wasn’t doing so well in the fourth quarter and they picked me up and we were able to get the win, a much-needed win,” he said after helping the Painters beat the Magnolia Hotshots, 86-82.
“I’m adjusting to the physicality. I have to get used to it, it’s a shock to my body but I’ve only been here what? 3 days? I’ll keep getting better and I’ll be okay.”
Montgomery faces a tougher test next game against San Miguel Beer on Saturday in Cagayan de Oro City.