As is usually the case for debuting imports, the PBA's physicality proved to be a surprise for new Rain or Shine reinforcement Carl Montgomery.
The big man, who most recently saw action for the JD Unicorns in the Malaysian Pro League, had to get used to the banging down low immediately against Magnolia as he suited up in place Denzel Bowles, who sat in street clothes courtside as he recovers from a knee injury.
Montgomery finished with an all-around line of 20 points, 12 rebounds, four assists, two steals and two blocks in an all-important Rain or Shine win, but that didn't come without struggle as Magnolia's big men rapidly sent double-teams every time he received the ball on the low block in the first half.
After an underwhelming first half where he scored 12 points on a paltry 5-for-13 clip, Montgomery turned it up at the start of the third quarter, where he poured in eight points, including two three-pointers, in a 10-2 run that turned the tide in the Elasto Painters' favor.
He disappeared again in the payoff period and was held scoreless as Magnolia zoned in on him once more, but fortunately Montgomery and the rest of Rain or Shine did enough on the other end of the floor to nab that victory.
"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," Montgomery said after the game. "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? Three days? I'll keep getting better and I'll be okay."
If that third quarter burst was any indication, a more adjusted Montgomery might be in the horizon for the team in their next game against San Miguel on July 13. But while head coach Caloy Garcia was pleased with how he managed to pull through in his first game, he knows his import will have to come up with a much better output if they're going to survive a Beermen side that's looking to survive here in the Commissioner's Cup.
"Overall, it's going to be hard. He has to give us more numbers, especially on the boards," Garcia said. "When we play our next game against San Miguel, we'll be really small against that team. They were able to get an import who can really score. We're going to have lots of problems when it comes to height and rebounding."
For Montgomery, he's just going to savor this win and think about the Beermen on Thursday.
"I don't really know too much about them, I just got here. I'll watch film and coach will let us know what to do defensively to slow them down," he said. "I'm just happy to get the win, we're going to practice tomorrow, scout, and figure out what we're going to do for the next game."