Seen as one of the underdogs in the UAAP Season 89 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Tournament, Adamson University found a way to start its campaign on a high note, stunning season hosts Far Eastern University, 56-53, on Sunday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
While Monty Montebon stole the show with 18 points to lead the Soaring Falcons, another player stood out for Adamson — Nigerian student-athlete Precious Jonah, who made his UAAP debut with eight points, 11 rebounds, and four blocks.
The 6-foot-9 Jonah also made his presence felt on the defensive end, limiting FEU’s Gambian big man and former Elite Team member Mo Konateh to just five points and three rebounds in 35:52 minutes of action.
Montebon, who is in his senior year with Adamson, made it a point to pay tribute to his rookie teammate, who represented Nigeria in the FIBA U18 AfroBasket Qualifiers in 2024.
“I’d just go out and give my guy Jonah a shoutout,” said Montebon. “He’s one of the most hardworking guys I know. Him being a rookie… I think he just started playing basketball not too long ago, and just the improvement he made all off-season… I told him before the game to just have fun. You put so much work in.
“Trust the work that you put in, and today it showed a bit.”
Despite being a newcomer to the league, Jonah more than held his own against Konateh, helping Adamson contain FEU’s interior presence in the Falcons’ season-opening victory.
Jonah’s performance surprised everyone, including Soaring Falcons coach Nash Racela. The head coach also lauded fellow rookie Mat Edding, who followed Montebon’s lead with 10 points.
“Like what Monty said, he’s one of the most hardworking players we’ll ever have,” said Racela. “When we give them rest, he’s in the gym. When we tell them to take the day off, he’s doing something else. He’s just reaping yung mga tinanim niya, and that’s what we also preach to our players. As long as you do the work, you’ll get rewarded later on.
“Going to the game, I did not really know what to expect from him because rookie siya, and first game sa UAAP, it’s really hard for rookies. But he was able to hold the fort, match up well against [Mo] Konateh,” he continued.
“Even si Matmat [Edding]. He’s a rookie — medyo veteran rookie, kasi he waited for a couple of years before he was able to crash the UAAP lineup. We have a lot of rookies in our lineup.”
Opening the season on a high is one thing, but achieving consistent wins is another.
Adamson will next play on September 26, almost two weeks after its season opener. As Montebon, Jonah, Edding, and the rest of the Soaring Falcons mix recovery with preparation, they know there is still a long road ahead in Season 89.
It will be a long wait, but their focus is already on their next opponent.
“Our eyes are set on Ateneo to do everything we have to do to get that win,” said Montebon.
