Mathew Jacob "Monty" Montilla Montebon (born 2003) is a Filipino-American college basketball player for the Adamson Soaring Falcons of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP).

Mathew Montebon
No. 3 – Adamson Soaring Falcons
PositionShooting guard
LeagueUAAP
Personal information
BornNewark, California, U.S.
NationalityFilipino / American
Listed height6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Career information
High schoolNewark Memorial High School, Newark, California
CollegePaul Smith's College (2021–2022)
Adamson University (2023–present)

High school career

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Montebon played varsity basketball for the Newark Memorial High School Cougars.[1]

College career

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Paul Smith's College Bobcats (2021–22)

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Montebon started his college career with a stint with the Paul Smith's College Bobcats.[2] In his time there, he averaged just 3.8 points.[3]

Adamson Soaring Falcons (2023–present)

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Montebon has quickly been known for his big shots in Philippine collegiate basketball, playing for the Adamson Soaring Falcons in his first year as senior teammate Jerom Lastimosa was not available.[4] In a pre-season game on June 4, 2023, the Soaring Falcons came back from a 27-point deficit and leaned on Montebon's buzzer-beating three-point shot to shock the Ateneo Blue Eagles, 61–60.[5][6]

Montebon debuted in the UAAP with 13 points, three rebounds, two assists, and two steals to step up for Adamson in a 51–68 loss to the UP Fighting Maroons on October 1, 2023.[7] On October 7, 2023, the same Ateneo team lost to Adamson in the first round of the UAAP Season 86 basketball championship despite leading by as much as 19 points thanks to the Falcon rookie's three-point shot from the left corner in regulation, 69-all, and senior teammate Vince Magbuhos' buzzer-beater triple in overtime, 74–71.[8]

On November 19, 2023, the Soaring Falcons won a tough fight against the UE Red Warriors to earn a playoff for the last spot in the Final Four, with Montebon demonstrating why he is said to be the heir apparent to the outgoing King Falcon Jerom Lastimosa.[9] With 2.7 seconds left, Montebon hit another left-corner triple for the win, edging UE, 63–61.[10][11]

Adamson lost to defending champion Ateneo in the playoff held a few days before Montebon was honored as the Collegiate Press Corps' Player of the Week.[12][13]

Montebon said he plans out his schedule early in the week to balance his time for Marketing studies with basketball and ties with parents Robert Montebon and Regina Montilla, among others.[14][15]

Awards

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  • Most Valuable Player, 2024 Mayor Kirk Asis Invitational Basketball Tournament [16][17]

References

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  1. ^ Sabedra, Darren (April 30, 2021). "In basketball, De La Salle rallies to defeat SRV and Newark Memorial topples Moreau Catholic". The Mercury News. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
  2. ^ "Mathew Montebon". Paul Smith's College Athletics. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
  3. ^ "Basketball: 2021-2022 Paul Smith's College Bobcats Stat Leaders". RealGM. 2022. Retrieved July 7, 2024.
  4. ^ Riego, Normie (September 28, 2023). "The breakout candidates for UAAP Season 86". espn.ph. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
  5. ^ Fuertes Jr., Rommel (June 4, 2023). "Filoil Preseason: 'Confident' rookie Matthew Montebon continues to step up for Adamson". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
  6. ^ Anzures, Rom (June 4, 2023). "FilOil: Adamson eliminates Ateneo, NU comes back against St. Clare". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
  7. ^ Agcaoili, Lance (October 1, 2023). "UAAP: Malick Diouf, CJ Cansino lead UP romp of Adamson". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
  8. ^ Villanueva, Ralph Edwin (October 7, 2023). "Magbuhos pours game-winning 3 as Falcons soar past Eagles in OT". Philippine Star. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
  9. ^ "Montebon corner dagger lifts Adamson over UE; forces playoff for #4". adamson.edu.ph. November 20, 2023. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
  10. ^ Masoy, Niel Victor (November 19, 2023). "Montebon hits game-winner as Adamson nips UE to force a playoff against Ateneo for last semis berth". The Manila Times. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
  11. ^ "Adamson keeps Final Four hopes alive after thrilling win over UE in UAAP Season 86". onesports.ph. November 19, 2023. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
  12. ^ "Adamson's Matthew Montebon, UST's Nikki Villarin earn UAAP Players of the Week citation". Manila Bulletin. November 21, 2023. Retrieved November 24, 2023.
  13. ^ Arce, Gerard (November 19, 2023). "Monty Montebon, Adamson sa playoffs". Abante. Retrieved July 7, 2024.
  14. ^ "Fil-Am Adamson Falcons cager Mathew Jacob Montebon shows mettle in UAAP 87". The Wednesday Herald. September 26, 2024. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  15. ^ "Fransman, Montebon breakouts lead Adamson to bounce back win". The Adamson News. September 16, 2024. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  16. ^ Villaruel, Emmanuel (June 30, 2024). "Adamson Falcons soar to championship glory". Philippine Star. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
  17. ^ Andaya, Robert (June 30, 2024). "Mayor Asis Cup to Adamson". Journal Online. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
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