The Holster Feature: The Marco Montixi Effect
The Holster Headquarters
Bacoor Blades
14:41
It was a controversial acquisition, not necessarily with the player involved nor the way he was acquired, which was amicable. But rather with the sequence of events that was triggered by his arrival to the Blades camp.
32-year old Marco Montixi came to the Bacoor Blades, sending shockwaves throughout the organization, the team and the community. The team that was supposed to be on a rebuilding phase took a quick reboot and made a bid for the 6'11" Italian.
"I remember getting the call from my agent. I was at home with my family when he told me I was going to the Philippines." recalled Montixi.
After the initial announcement, Montixi was immediately patched to team manager TheDogMan for a short briefing. He was later issued a ticket for a flight to the Philippines and was guided all the way by the Blades' head either by phone or through the internet.
"He really did everything to create a welcoming atmosphere. And when I arrived, it was even better because the team's fans were quick to note that I was there already." recalled Montixi.
The acquisition was big for the organization, who nearly waved the white flag in terms of acquiring a bigtime center that could pillar the roster for the near future. They already had a training program in place which sacrificed their backcourt rotation to rookies as well as their once-vaunted frontcourt being put on the wire.
"I was told of everything that happened here over the last few weeks." admitted Montixi. "But as drastic as these changes were, I guess the good thing is that they actually did it within one season." Montixi added. "Had they gone through with a longer process, the community might have grown impatient given the recent success of the team."
The controversy went fever pitch when Enrique Verastegui, who was acquired by the Blades just mere days before Montixi, was axed by the team to accommodate his arrival. Montixi offered his comments about the matter.
"I've never met him personally, but as a fellow professional baller, it's gotta be tough to go through that and put your career in limbo." Montixi said.
"I wish we could have been put together as a frontcourt duo. We could have made a good combination but I guess the team had other plans about that." he said, as management currently has him paired with longtime Blades forward Kelly Paul. "You just don't want your fellow players to suffer things like that. But those are things that are out of our hands sometimes."
Since his arrival, the Blades have had some stability on their bigman rotation, which had to compensate with Gabor Martinovics at power forward and Kelly Paul at center with Eugenio Genco still down with an injury. "I was told about how they had to deal with makeshift lineups for game this season. I am glad to be of help at that department for a start."
But the Italian was quick to state that his purpose is not just to be another set of legs or six personal fouls that the Cavite-based franchise can expend.
"I want to be a contributor inside. I know it will not be as quick as I would want it to be, but I am hoping it will be one day."
Despite the hesitation to admit it, the impact of Montixi is quickly felt. In the two games that he played in the League so far, he has averaged 20 points and 18 rebounds, while also blocking 2.5 shots a game.
With his production inside, the Blades have found a saving grace to their campaign. While being able to get by with their team in their early win streak, the addition of Montixi was a proof that the Blades were not to lay down and die for the season. They shall attempt to climb back to playoff contention with the continuation of the League as they begin the second round of eliminations.