For eight years, his efforts in developing the sports programs in Negros Occidental lead to many feats and inspiring stories. He wants to continue and leave a legacy in the field of sports. That’s why he was recognized for motivating young aspirants to do more in their chosen field. 

Sportsman Jose Montalbo, team manager of Tay Tung, was recently recognized by the Bacolod City’s Sports Communicators Organization of the Philippines (SCOOP) as Sports Patron Awardee for Volleyball.

The award was given to Montalbo for his contributions to the development of the sport in the city. “I am glad that SCOOP-Bacolod acknowledged what I am doing in sports for Negros Occidental. This citation inspires me to help talented youth to develop their talents as well as promoting not just volleyball but also other sports here in Negros Occidental,” he added. 

Montalbo was an athlete for 11 years when he was in high school and college. He played track and field and basketball. No wonder, during his managing stint in Tay Tung, the school produced star players, who are now leading Manila-based universities in track and field – Miguel Guevarra (Ateneo), Shaira Hernandez (DLSU), Hannah Malate (Ateneo), Ronaldo Malate (DLSU), Franz Bintad (DLSU) and Patrick Nelles (UST). In volleyball, he sent Marianne Sotomil and Jenny Padilla to UP. 

“My struggles in sports program for Negros is that at present, the big schools in Manila are now getting or offering our athletes big amount of money while they are still young and not yet on the right age for recruitment,” he added. 

Montalbo, who is behind the success of Tay Tung’s secondary volleyball girls, said he would like to leave a legacy that will train and teach athletes good values, to become close to their families and have a better parental guidance to keep them away from temptation when they come to Manila. And let them stay in Negros first,” he shared. 

Aside from Montalbo, the organization also presented the Legendary Sportsman Award to Roger Banzuela for volleyball, Antonio Oquindo, Jr. and Adolf Ledesma – softball, Juan Ramon Guanzon and Vic Tan – boxing, and Oscar Bascon – basketball.IMT