Matthew Rubico commits to La Salle

NCAA high school standout Matthew Rubico is moving to Taft Avenue.

Lyceum of the Philippines University's Rubico confirmed that he has committed to De La Salle University.

"Yes po, sa La Salle na po ako," Rubico told GMA Integrated News in a message on Tuesday.

Green Archers head coach Topex Robinson also confirmed the development in a message on Wednesday.

Rubico said he chose La Salle for what he expects to learn from there.

"Pinili ko po 'yung La Salle kasi alam ko po na marami po akong matututunan dito, sa basketball at siyempre po sa buhay," the Batangas native said.

("I picked La Salle because I know I will learn a lot here, in basketball and of course, in life.")

Another factor was the Green Archers' new head coach Topex Robinson, who is now the coach of his dream school.

"Kasi si Coach Topex na po 'yung head coach po dito. And bata pa lang po ako, dream school ko na po 'yung La Salle."

"Syempre LPU is nasa choice ko pa din po kasi sila 'yung tumulong at nagbigay ng opportunity sa'kin," he added.

("Because Coach Topex is the head coach here and since I was a kid, La Salle was my dream school... Of course, LPU was always among my choices because they were the ones who helped me and gave me an opportunity.")

Rubico expects to learn a lot from his new teammates as he will join a team with the likes of guards Evan Nelle, Mark Nonoy, CJ Austria, and JC Macalalag.

"Expectation ko po sa pagpasok ko sa La Salle is mapapagaling po ako bilang manlalaro kasi 'yung mga kasama ko po dito is ibang usapan na and alam ko po madami akong matututunan sa kanila."

("My expectation going to La Salle is for me to develop as a player because the players around me here will be at another level and I know I will learn a lot from them.")

Rubico stood out with the Junior Pirates as he averaged 21.89 points, 10.22 rebounds, 7.11 assists, 1.56 steals, and 0.78 blocks per game in Season 98 of the league's junior basketball tournament.

The LPU guard also had a season-high 43 points during their game against University of Perpetual Help System DALTA, though they lost to the ALTAs, 100-97.

Rubico is expected to suit up for the green and white come UAAP Season 86.

"Pero siyempre kailangan pong pagtrabahuhan 'yon."

("But of course I will need to work for that.")

—JMB, GMA Integrated News