TWO former Blackwater players will make a comeback with the team in next week’s PBA Governors’ Cup.
Kib Montalbo, 30, and veteran James Sena are set to suit up for the Bossing in the final conference of Season 50, according to coach Pat Aquino.
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Montalbo, who arrived at Blackwater in the July 2024 trade that brought Rey Nambatac to TNT, still has a live contract with the Bossing but has been out of commission due to an injury.
Sena, 37, tried out with the team and will be back in his third tour of duty with the franchise. He most recently saw action for Iloilo in the MPBL.
“He (Montalbo) has a contract with us and we will utilize him as well. He’s just recovering lang from injury,” said the Blackwater mentor. “But if he is available, we will give him a chance again.”
Aquino hopes to get some quality minutes from Sena in the middle, especially after the team parted ways with veteran Bradwyn Guinto and young big Clifford Jopia.
“We need a big man that shoot from the outside. And he (Sena) can help us in such a way also,” the champion coach said of Sena, who first suited up for the Bossing from 2015-2019 and later, from 2022-2024.
In the off-season, Blackwater also signed free agent Nick Demusis and extended Mike Digregorio's contract until the end of Season 50 after earning a roster spot at the tailend of the Commissioner’s Cup.
Aside from Guinto and Jopia, also let go by the franchise were guards Paul Zamar, Camillus Altamirano, and BJ Andrade who has since signed as a local with a Hong Kong league team.
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