Carl Montgomery is new RoS import amidst Bowles’ injury

FILE: “Happy birthday to myself… I’m so thankful for the ups the downs.” (Photo: @carlmhoops/Instagram)

To replace an injured Denzel Bowles, the Rain or Shine management decided to call in Carl Montgomery as their newest import to improve their 2019 Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner’s Cup bid.

Six-foot-eight Montgomery joined the Elasto Painters for practice last Monday, July 8, coming straight from performing with the JD Unicorns in the Malaysian Pro League. The 30-year-old has experience playing with Chicago State in the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) where he averaged 17.1 points and 7.7. rebounds in his senior year, then taking his professional career to Latvia, Estonia, and Belgium in Europe.

Bowles collided with Alaska Aces’ guard Jeron Teng during the RoS-Alaska match last Saturday, July 7, resulting in a knee injury that pulls him out for the rest of the season.

Doctors revealed that Bowles is experiencing a medial meniscus tear and a small medial collateral ligament tear.

RoS head Coach Caloy Garcia commented on their newest addition, saying, “It would be hard to match what Denzel had provided us. But Montgomery will surely be a big help on the defensive end.” Based on his first look of the new player with his team, Garcia added, “He looks like an energy guy. It would be hard to fill in on what Denzel gave us. We just need him to fill in some holes on defense.

He seems to be an aggressive player,” concluding, “The positive thing is in our last game, we won with a local lineup, and with this import that came in, I think he can provide energy [to the team].”

Montgomery also reviewed his first practice with the team, stating, “First practice was good. The guys are embracing me. I feel welcome. This is going to take me (time to) gel with the guys.

I’m running a new offense. Just playing with my energy and I think we will be fine,” adding, “I’m just going to do what the team needs for us to win. The goal is to make a playoff run.” He concluded, “I heard this is the toughest league in Southeast Asia so I’m prepared to do the best I can for this team.

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The new import will first see action with the Elasto Painters on Wednesday, July 10 as they face the Magnolia Hotshots, attempting to improve their four-win and five-loss standing to enter the playoffs.