Standing Tallest

6-Foot-1 Nikko Montelibano is a shotblocking and rebounding demon in the PASARELLE League. By Cristine Antonette B. Catu


WANTING to be outright competitive in
its play-for-play Passarelle league, the
LSGH deemed it best to have their big
man with them. The team has chosen
to go big upon behesting Nikko R. Montelibano
to join their line-up. Thus, he was given the
opportunity to play for the varsity team and be a
scholar.
Montelibano had his first taste of NCAA
championship game against Ateneo during his
first year in the LSGH varsity team. Truly, it has
become a new experience and achievement in his
treasure chest.
Being one of the power-smashing figures in
LSGH basketball, in a sense, he was a modern
player and flashy playmaker, an improviser, a player
who looks inside the boundaries of a basketball
court and sees endless possibilities – a center.
Wanna know his favorite basketball star?
Named both the 2003 regular season MVP and
the 2003 Finals MVP (the ninth player to win both
MVP awards in the same season) … the first backto-
back regular season MVP since Michael Jordan
in 1991 and 1992 (the eighth player to win backto-
back NBA MVP honors) …It’s none other than
Timothy Theodore Duncan of the San Antonio
Spurs.
“Tim Duncan plays naturally. There’s no flash
but he can turn the ball in his left and right hand.
I try to follow his moves but I really want to
make my own moves,” Duncan’s fan shares.
Green Archer # 10, however, stressed that it’s
nice to be so tall because he’s got the height to
play.
The 6-foot-1 Montelibano is a shotblocking
and rebounding demon in the amateurs who
won Excellence in Sports Award during the 2005
EPA Recognition Day in LSGH; 3rd place Novice
B in the 2006 SM Makati Summer Sportsfest,
Inter-Village Basketball Tournament; This year’s
mythical team of Kidz Hoops 14 and Jr. PBA
Basketball League in 2005. Plus, he was able to
snatch a gold medal for basketball - Intramurals
when he was in Grade 4 and 5.
Meanwhile, he epitomized the frontcourt
strength of the Blazers team that won championships
in the La Salle Little Olympics and Paya Aspirants,
along with National and NCR 20th Passarelle Milo
Best Center last year.
The current star center
of La Salle Greenhills in
the Passarelle pulled off a
stunning upset three years ago
when he beat his co-players from the
Lourdes School of Mandaluyong. He was crowned
Outstanding Athlete in Basketball (age group 9 – 11
years old) and Most Outstanding & Most Improved
Player the following year in Lourdes School.
Animo reveals the young star’s little personal
life – Montelibano starts his day at 5:30 pm to
prepare for his class and then practices with the
team at 4:30 pm. He arrives home at around 7:30
pm in his residence in Marikina.
As a grade school student, he tries his best
to be balanced in his sport and in his studies by
studying hard during their quizzes and major
exams.
“My favorite subject is P.E., EPP, CL and a
little of Math,” the athlete says with hilarity.
At 13, Montelibano felt that there’s a
dramatic increase in the amount of calories
and nutrients that he needed. Despite these
needs, teenagers are more likely to ignore a
balanced diet than any other age group.
To maximize his growth potential and to
strengthen his immune system, Montelibano
admits that he regularly takes Cherifer PGM and
ascorbic acid.
His parents, Jumbo and Risa Montelibano,
were not only supportive in his studies but also
in his sport.
“We encourage him to read or watch
the games because it’s important to learn. It
can elevate their games,” shares the supportive
father.
He watches the games in Araneta, especially if
it’s Red Bull, San Miguel or Barangay Ginebra.
Montelibano knows in his heart that the blood
flowing through his veins will always be a powerful
and unmistakable shade of green.
After graduating from college and at the end
of that long, bumpy ride, Montelibano sees himself
in the PBA as a pro warmly embraced by his
teammates, then carried on their shoulders like a
knight who just completed a chivalrous feat.
“My dream is to become a professional
basketball player. I like to play for the UAAP and in
the PBA,” shares the aspiring young star. A
Standing tallest By Cristine Antonette B. Catu
stunning upset three years ago
when he beat his co-players from the
Lourdes School of Mandaluyong. He was crowned
Outstanding Athlete in Basketball (age group 9 – 11
years old) and Most Outstanding & Most Improved
Player the following year in Lourdes School.
Animo reveals the young star’s little personal
life – Montelibano starts his day at 5:30 pm to
prepare for his class and then practices with the
team at 4:30 pm. He arrives home at around 7:30
pm in his residence in Marikina.
As a grade school student, he tries his best
to be balanced in his sport and in his studies by
studying hard during their quizzes and major
“My favorite subject is P.E., EPP, CL and a
little of Math,” the athlete says with hilarity.
At 13, Montelibano felt that there’s a
dramatic increase in the amount of calories
and nutrients that he needed. Despite these
needs, teenagers are more likely to ignore a
balanced diet than any other age group.
To maximize his growth potential and to
strengthen his immune system, Montelibanstrengthen Montelibano
admits that he regularly takes Cherifer PGM and
His parents, Jumbo and Risa Montelibano,
were not only supportive in his studies but also
“We encourage him to read or watch
the games because it’s important to learn. It
can elevate their games,” shares the supportive
He watches the games in Araneta, especially if
it’s Red Bull, San Miguel or Barangay Ginebra.
Montelibano knows in his heart that the blood
flowing through his veins will always be a powerful
and unmistakable shade of green.
After graduating from college and at the end
of that long, bumpy ride, Montelibano sees himself
in the PBA as a pro warmly embraced by his
teammates, then carried on their shoulders like a
knight who just completed a chivalrous feat.
“My dream is to become a professional
basketball player. I like to play for the UAAP and in
the PBA,” shares the aspiring young star. A