Monfort in disbelief as trade brings him to league's most popular club

Ginebra new-boy Eman Monfort says he doesn't fear being buried in the Kings' crowded backcourt. Jerome Ascano

POINT guard Eman Monfort can’t believe he’ll be playing for Barangay Ginebra when the PBA opens its 39^th season three weeks from now.

The reed-thin playmaker described the trade that brought him from Barako Bull to the league’s most popular ballclub as something "unbelievable."

Monfort was shipped to the Kings in exchange for Rob Labagala in a deal that was readily approved by the Commissioner’s Office on Thursday.

[For full story on trade, see Barako Bull pulls off another shocker with Monfort trade for Ginebra's Labagala]

“Ako, kumbaga, unbelievable to be part of that organization (Ginebra),” Monfort told Spin.ph shortly after he was informed about the trade.

“I’m just very thankful and I’ll just use that as an opportunity to get better.”

Coming off an injury-riddled rookie season, the sophomore guard is aware of crowded Ginebra backcourt but expressed his willingness to make the most out of an opportunity given him.

The Kings’ backcourt is led by LA Tenorio, Jayjay Helterbrand, and Josh Urbiztondo.

“Team player naman ako. Of course, I want to play, pero ano man gagawin ko, whether I play 48 minutes in a game or make the three (Ginebra) guards better, I’ll do it,” added Monfort, who was picked 16th overall in last year’s draft by Barako Bull.

After being sidelined for a huge chunk of the recent season due to a broken wrist, Monfort came back and assumed the starting point guard role for Barako Bull during the Governors Cup.

He averaged 10.75 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 4.6 assists in helping the Energy Cola clinch the franchise’s first quarterfinal stint for the season.

However, the playmaker out of Ateneo failed to suit up in Barako Bull’s quarterfinal loss to Meralco after suffering a broken right ring finger late in the elimination round campaign.