MindanaoToday.com | New ‘King’ Falcon leads AdU to beat SBU for Bayugan title
By: Jack Biantan
*Fil-Am Mathew ‘Monty’ Montebon, whose parents are from Cebu, played heads up basketball in Bayugan
to lead Adamson Soaring Falcons-ARQ Builders over San Beda University Red Lions-Weng Burs Apartelle&Ella Store
in the championship of the Bayugan City Mayor Asis Open Basketball tournament in Agusan del Sur.
BAYUGAN City, Agusan del Sur — The Adamson Soaring Falcons, now have a new ‘King’ Falcon to replace their now Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) bound former ‘King’ Falcon Jerom Lastimosa.
Lastimosa, who missed the final year of his UAAP season after injuring his knee in this tournament last year, has declared his PBA draft eligibility and has been making a comeback after having a knee surgery on Dec. 9, 2023.
Basing on his performance in Bayugan, the 21-year old ‘Monty’ is slowly and surely replacing Jerom as the new ‘King’ Falcon.
In the championship game against San Beda-Weng Burs Apartelle&Ella Stor, Montebon scored 14 points to lead the Soaring Falcons-ARQ Builders 71-63, and capture the top prize money and championship trophy Saturday night (June 29, 2024) at the Lope Asis gym here in Bayugan City, Agusan del Sur.
‘I am very happy with Adamson and the team. I am also very excited to continue growing with the help with coach Nash and the coaching staff. I also love my teammates and the Adamson community who have shown us lots of support,” he said.
He however refused comment when asked about his feelings about being called as the new ‘King’ Falcon.
But when coach Nash was asked about ‘Monty’ as a new ‘King’ Falcons, he credits all his players for doing their jobs.
‘They are all ‘King’ Falcons. Every game we have different players who shine. However, I credit ‘Monty’ for standing out,” he said.
Racela added that they are very thankful to Bayugan Mayor Kirk Asis and organizer coach Van Halen Parmis for inviting them to this tournament.
“This is really good for us. This tournament help us to be ready for the coming UAAP season,” coach Nash Racela said.
Monty’s parents Regina and Robert are actually from Cebu and migrated to the US to seek greener pasture before he was born. He was born 21 years ago in San Francisco, California and has dual citizenship.
Montebon played high school varsity basketball for the Newark Memorial High School Cougars according to Wikepedia. He then played college basketball with Paul Smith College Bobcats in New York in 2021-22.
He then came to the Philippines in 2022 and went as a walk-in for tryouts at Adamson University in San Marcelino Street in Ermita, Manila.
Coach Nash liked what he saw and eventually took him in. ‘Monty’ however had to take a one year residency and started his playing career with the Falcons only last year.
‘Monty’ had a memorable rookie season for the Falcons in the UAAP even scoring the winning triple over University of the East in the playoffs. The Falcons however missed the final four after losing to Ateneo in the other playoff match.
The 6ft0 Montebon, is one inch taller than Jerom Lastimosa but they play similarly. ‘Monty’ also plays point guard and shooting guard just like Jerom. What he lacks is only experience. He is also fearless like Jerom and can score from beyond the rainbow arc and penetrate to the basket as if there is no tomorrow.
Can we see ‘King Monty’ this season? Let’s wait and watch. I will be on the front seat.
With ‘Monty’ scoring 14 points, grabbing three rebounds and dishing one assist in the final against San Beda, the Falcons brought home the top cash prize of P300,000 plus the championship trophy. He also got support from Emmanuel Anabo and African import Mudiaga Ojarikre who combine for 18 points.
The Falcons controlled the match from the start pulling out a 24-10 lead in the first quarter. San Beda tried to rally and managed to cut the lead to only six points 39-45 at the half.
The Red Lions even was on striking distance 41-45 early in the second half but the Soaring Falcons scoring binge early in the final quarter put the Falcons beyond reach as they established their biggest lead of 16 points 66-50 with six more minutes remaining.
After that binge, the Falcons relaxed and never looked back to give ARQ Builders owner, the Cebu based owner of ARQ Builders Jason Arquisola, his third consecutive crown in the biggest and grandest hardcourt spectacle in the Caraga.
Yukien Andrada scored 17 points , while RC Calimag and Menaro Songcuya combined for 30 points for the Red Lions. They however did not go home empty handed as they pocketed P200,000 for their first runner-up finish.
In the battle for third place, the Ariano’s Construction-Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC) Generals squandered an 18-point advantage in the first half, but leaned on the hot hands of Wilmar Oftana in the end game to frustrate the Bustamante Construction-University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers, 80-69.
Oftana topped for EAC with 20 points while King Gurtiza added 12 points. They also pocketed P150,000 for placing third. Kent Salardo top scored for UV with 18 points. They went home with P75,000.
(CHAMPIONSHIP) ADAMSON UNIVERSITY-ARQ Builders 71- Montebon 14, Ojarikre 9, Anabo 9,Ignacio 7, Erolon 7, Manzano 6, Franzman 3, Canete 3, Yerro 3,Alexander 2, Calisay 3, Barcelona 2, C. Ranzone 2, SAN BEDA-Weng Burs Apartelle &Ella Store 50- Andrada 17, C. Calimag 16, Songcuya 14, Sajonia 6, Royo 5, Payosing 5, Tagle 3, Bonzalido 2 Quarter Scores: 24-10; 45-39; 58-50; 71-65
(For Third) EMILIO AGUINALDO COLLEGE-Ariano’s Construction 80-Optana 20, Gurtiza-12, Tolentino 10, Bagay 10, Dario 7, Pagsanjan 6, Ochovo 5, Luciano 3, Manacho 2, Angeles 2, UNIVERSITY OF THE VISAYAS-Bustamante Construction 69- Salarda 18, Gentallan 17, Alsola 8, Sacayan 5, Alilin 4, Caullibally 4 Quarter Scores: 24-17; 50-35;6349; 80-69 (jackbiantan@yahoo.com)
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