Mathew Montebon shone brightly, giving Adamson University at least one more day in the UAAP Season 86 Men’s Basketball Tournament.
Montebon nailed a stepback triple in the dying seconds of Adamson’s 63-61 victory against University of the East on Sunday.
The result then forced a knockout match versus Ateneo for the last Final Four berth in the men’s tournament.
Adamson finished at 7-7 for a tie with Ateneo to force a playoff for fourth which will be played on Wednesday at the SM Mall of Asia arena.
With his heroic performance, the Collegiate Press Corps hailed Montebon as the UAAP Men’s Player of the Week.
The Soaring Falcons guard dropped 16 points including four three-pointers, seven rebounds and two assists to save Adamson from elimination against the also-ran but hard-fighting UE on Sunday.
Adamson had Montebon finishing with 12 points including two treys, six rebounds, five assists, and a steal in the Falcons’ much-needed 68-62 victory over the National University Bulldogs last Wednesday.
Averaging 14.0 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, three treys, and 0.5 steals, Montebon edged out UP’s Francis Lopez and two-time Player of the Week Kevin Quiambao of La Salle.
“I think from the very beginning that’s what we emphasized to our players: There are no freebies in this world. You have to earn everything. You have to take it if you want it,” Adamson coach Nash Racela said after their win against the Red Warriors.
“Today, we thank UE for allowing us to [work for the win]. Talagang pinahirapan kami. They didn’t give it to us on a silver platter.”
