Lyceum of the Philippine University head coach Gilbert Malabanan has long been looking for young forward Gyle Montaño to show up for the Pirates in the NCAA Season 99.
On Friday, the sophomore baller finally did, right when the Pirates needed him the most as he steered the squad to an 86-82 squeaker against league-leading Mapua University.
"Actually Enoch [Valdez] and [John] Barba are not yet 100 percent and even Mclaude [Guadaña] kaya ayun ‘yung problema ko, ‘yung health nila," Malabanan said.
"But I give credit to Gyle Montaño for stepping up and sabi ko ayun ‘yung laro niya na nawala eh. Sabi ko ang tagal ko nang hinahanap ‘yung laro mo and ngayon ko lang nakita. The good thing is he responds well."
(Actually, Enoch and Barba are not yet at 100% and even Mclaude, and that's my problem, their health. but I give credit to Gyle Montaño for stepping up and I said it was the game that I missed. I was looking for that game of his and just saw it now. The good thing is he responds well.)
Valdez (flu) as well as Barba and JM Bravo, both of whom sustained an injury in the previous game against EAC, all returned today but saw limited time on the court as they have yet to regain their full strength.
Valdez finished with seven points and six rebounds while Barba was scoreless in 11 minutes of play. Bravo tallied 12 points and nine rebounds in the winning effort.
With their stars yet to get to their usual forms, Montaño made sure to give the Pirates a boost. But for his part, the 23-year-old cager said he's just staying ready for when Lyceum would need him.
"Sobrang blessed and kami rin namang lahat, hindi namin alam kung sinong puputok sa amin," Montaño said.
"Lagi lang sinasabi sa amin ni coach na dapat always ready kami kasi hindi namin alam kung sino ang may bad game or puputok."
(Super blessed and all of us, we do not really know who will catch fire. Coach always tells us that we should be ready because we do not know who has a good or bad game.)
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
