Heroics vs Lions earns Matute NC POW honors

MANILA, Philippines - Fil-Am Nate Matute knows he would need to dish out his A-game for Jose Rizal to have a chance at pulling the rug from defending champion San Beda.

And responding to the challenge, the sweet-shooting Matute came through with guns ablaze as he helped the Bombers stun the heavily favored Lions, 76-65, Wednesday to breathe life to their sagging Final Four hopes in the 87th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan.

Matute poured in 15 points including 12 from behind the arc as the Bombers nail their first streak of the season and fifth win against nine losses while keeping their hopes of making the playoffs alive.

And the feat also won Matute the ccel/3XVI NCAA Press Corps Player of the Week presented by Gatorade, his first in his several seasons in the oldest collegiate league in the land.

“I knew that everyone would need to step up for us to have a chance against San Beda,” said Matute. “It’s feels good to beat a great team like San Beda, its been a long while since we did.

“I’m very happy, we have better ball movement and we played good defense,” he added.

And Jose Rizal coach Vergel Meneses was also all praises for Matute.

“He’s been working hard and he has put premium on defense more this year,” said Meneses of his sharp-shooting guard.

San Sebastian’s Calvin Abueva and Ronald Pascual, who have won the weekly plum sponsored by ACCEL and 3XVI and backed by Gatorade twice this year, came close to snaring their third with equally impressive efforts last week.