Jeric Teng INQUIRER.net File Photo
MANILA, Philippines — De La Salle came out like how a team fighting for survival should be while University of Santo Tomas, on the cusp of history, just didn’t have it to cement its place in the UAAP record books.
There was no one to blame for the Growling Tigers during their loss in Game 2 of the UAAP Season 76 men’s basketball Finals Saturday night but themselves.
“We lost the game because of our effort but let’s forget about this,” a seemingly exhausted Jeric Teng after pouring in his season-best 28 points in 34 minutes told his teammates inside the losing dugout of the Araneta Coliseum.
“We were out of focus. La Salle outworked us and out-hustled us,” admitted the six-foot-two Teng. “Although I scored 28 points, what matters to me is really the championship.”
Outworked and out-hustled might be an understatement and perhaps putting it as the Green Archers having the desire to win and the Growling Tigers lacking some may be the fitting explanation to the rebounding discrepancy.
La Salle, anchored by its big men Arnold Van Opstal and Norbert Torres, dominated the boards, 57-39, with 27 of its rebounds coming at the offensive that led to 18 second chance points.
“I really try to motivate the team na talagang all out kami dapat. We can’t play like this kasi may moments, may time na talagang we gave up. Nawala yung composure talaga nung team namin. Nagrereklamo kami masyado sa mga referees. Hindi na pwedeng mangyari sa Game 3 yun. We have to be focused all throughout the game,” Teng added. “Talagang mas aggressive sila kaya sila nanalo.”
UST won, 73-72, in Game 1 but Teng said “we were really lucky to win.”
And with everything on the line on Saturday, Teng knows luck alone won’t do the trick.
“[Our bench] is very crucial. It proved na kapag maganda laro nila nananalo kami. This time I think hindi sila masyadong naka-contribute for the past two games. Actually, we were lucky lang talaga to win Game 1. Hopefully everyone steps up in Game 3.”
Apart from the Tigers’ reserves, Teng also sees his team’s experience and familiarity playing in do-or-die games this season — having won three in a row, one against Ateneo and two versus National University — will also play a big factor.
“It’s a big factor. Charge to experience yun. We played three knockout games. We’re good in Game 3. I think lalabas pagka-beterano ng team namin.”
The one week rest in between Game 2 and the final game of the season will also help according to Teng particularly for Mythical Five member Karim Abdul.
“He hurt his thumb in yesterday’s [Friday’s] practice so medyo namamaga. It’s good that we have one week rest lalo na for him.”