By Adrian Stewart Co

TNT Tropang Giga will be missing the services of guard Kib Montalbo when they begin their quest for back-to-back titles in the 2021 PBA Governors’ Cup today at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Bacolod City-native Montalbo went under the knife last month after being diagnosed with chronic meniscal tear. He is expected to be out for six to eight weeks for the Tropang Giga.

“It was advised by the doctors that he has surgery to remove the tear,” according to a TNT official who spoke on condition of anonymity. “He is now recovering from the operation and will start his rehab as soon as possible.”

Montalbo played through the injury during the Philippine Cup, which the Tropang Giga ruled by defeating the Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok in the best-of-seven finals, 4-1.

The 26-year-old Montalbo had a strong showing in the Philippine Cup finals where he averaged 5.4 points, 1.4 rebounds, and 1.4 assists and also shot 41 percent clip from three-point range.

The former De La Salle University Green Archers defender’s exit, however, could be covered by the arrival of free agency pickups Gab Banal and Carl Bryan Cruz, who were acquired in a trade with Blackwater Bossing last week.

The Tropang Giga did not play in the first week of the Governors’ Cup and will begin their season-ending campaign this week against NLEX Road Warriors tonight and Alaska Aces on the 17th.

Meanwhile, the Tropang Giga’s 3×3 squad also suffered a huge blow with Filipino-American guard-forward Jeremiah Gray being ruled out for the rest of the tournament due to an anterior cruciate ligament tear injury.

Gray, who is being tipped to be a first rounder pick in the 2021 PBA Rookie Draft, suffered the season-ending injury in the third leg of the PBA 3×3 basketball competition.

Chris Javier replaced Gray in TNT’s 3×3 roster along with Almond Vosotros, Lervin Flores and Samboy de Leon. The Tropang Giga finished runner up during the fifth leg last Sunday after losing to Limitless Appmasters in the finals, 14-13./ASC, WDJ