When push came to shove, Mathew Montebon rose to the occasion to save Adamson University from the jaws of defeat and an early exit.
He nailed the game-winning stepback three-pointer in the dying seconds of the Falcons’ all-important end of elimination round 63-61 win over University of the East to remain in the hunt for the last Final Four seat in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 86 men’s basketball tournament.
The thrilling victory last Sunday gave Adamson a chance to forge a playoff against defending champion Ateneo de Manila University for the No.4 seed in the semifinals after closing the elims with identical 7-7 win-loss records.
Montebon’s heroic effort was enough for him to become the hands-down choice as the Collegiate Press Corps UAAP men’s Player of the Week presented by San Miguel Corporation and backed by minor sponsors Discovery Suites and Jockey for the period 15 to 19 November.
The shooting guard fired 16 points including four three-pointers, pulled down seven rebounds, and had two assists in powering the Falcons past the also-ran but hard-fighting Red Warriors for their second straight Final Four sudden death.
Adamson and Ateneo rumble one last time today for the right to advance to the semis against twice-to-beat top seed University of the Philippines.
The Falcons defeated De La Salle University in the playoff for the No. 4 seed last season.
Montebon’s impressive outing came at the heels of his 12 points, six rebounds, five assists and one steal performance in the Falcons’ 68-62 victory over the semis-bound National University last Wednesday.
Averaging 14.0 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, three treys, and 0.5 steals, Montebon edged out Francis Lopez of University of the Philippines and two-time Player of the Week winner Kevin Quiambao of La Salle.
