The 5-foot-7, 20-year-old carpenter’s son from Catarman, Northern Samar tallied 304 points to pace Indonesia’s Kusantoro (298), Malaysia’s Muhamad Marbawi Sulaiman and Indonesia’s Tawaungsoc, both with 296.
Matan bettered by two points the mark set by another Filipino, Nerickzon Fraginal, tow years ago in Johor Baru, Malaysia.
"It’s a good start for us," said team manager Ligaya Manalang, who hoped the good weather condition would continue until today’s final qualifying round.
Two other Filipino archers – Marvin Cordero and Arnold Rojas – ranked sixth and seventh with 295 and 294 points, respectively.
Sydney Olympian Jennifer Chan compiled 639 points in the 70- and 60-meter events to check in third in the women’s division, behind Malaysia’s Mon Redee A/P Sut Txi (660) and Indonesia’s Rina Dewi Puspita Sari (656).
Three other RP archers – Rachelle Anne Cabral, Jasmin Figueroa and Joann Tabanag – finished eighth, 11th and 12th with 622, 613 and 612, respectively.
The women shoot in two more events today – the 50- and 30-meter distances – to determine the top 16 who will make it to the knockout Olympic Round.
Matan and the other male campaigners were still vying in the 90-meter event at presstime yesterday. They’re also slated to vie in the 50-and 30-meter events today.
The Philippines won one gold medal in the 2001 Kuala Lumpur Games, courtesy of Purita Joy Marino who was dropped from the national team due to a shoulder injury.