From Taft to Taft: Rookie Matthew Jucom finds home at Benilde after La Salle exit 

Matthew Jucom put up such an impressive game in one NBTC game last 2023 that Topex Robinson courted him to join De La Salle University.

Starring for Don Bosco Dumaguete in that year's NBTC edition, Jucom once dropped a 34-point explosion against a USA club to catch the attention of Robinson.

Jucom didn't think twice to say yes to the veteran tactician.

After all, he had always dreamt of donning the green and white colors of DLSU in one of the premier collegiate leagues in the country.

However, the Dumaguete pride had to look elsewhere after he was informed by Robinson that he had no spot in the Green Archers' roster in 2024. He tried out at various schools and eventually landed in another part of Taft: De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde.

"Nakita ako ni Coach Topex sa NBTC last 2023 and napunta ako sa DLSU. But nu’ng July 2024, coach Topex said na masasayang lang daw taon ko sa DLSU," Jucom told GMA News Online in an interview.

"Kaya ayun, naghanap ako ng ibang team. Nag-try din ako sa Letran and thankful ako sa coaches ko sa Benilde na tinanggap ako."

The 21-year-old didn't disappoint in his NCAA debut, dropping 18 points, six rebounds, and one assist against no less than defending champion San Beda University to help Benilde eke out a 77-68 stunner on Sunday.

His performance allowed the Blazers to spoil San Beda's title defense opener and get back at their Final Four tormentor from the previous year.

"I know na isa ako sa mga rookies dito and ayun nga, ginagawa ko lang 'yung trabaho ko sa team and naniniwala ako sa sistema ng mga coaches," Jucom added.

—JKC, GMA News