La Salle’s Jeron Teng named UAAP finals MVP

JERON Teng (right) AUGUST DELA CRUZ / INQUIRER

MANILA, Philippines – After a phenomenal performance throughout the UAAP men’s basketball finals, sophomore Jeron Teng was adjudged the MVP following La Salle’s victory over University of Santo Tomas, 71-69, in overtime for the title Saturday.

Teng, who led the Archers in foiling the Tigers’ bid to become the first fourth ranked team to win the championship and bested his older brother Jeric, had 25 points — 12 in the pivotal fourth quarter—along with eight rebounds and six assists.

He had 15 points in La Salle’s 72-73 game one defeat, then bounced back with 19 points in their second game’s win.

The star forward, known for his impeccable upper body strength, admitted, though, that fatigue took its toll late in the fourth quarter as he cramped up and even committed a near costly bad pass with six seconds left.

“It was a mental lapse. I was tired and I was cramping up. It was an early attack for me,  I should’ve waited,” said Teng whose Archers clawed back from a 15-point deficit.

But Teng shrugged off the cramps and came back to finish the game.

“UST had a good game. They were up early. We just didn’t give up,” Teng said.

Originally posted at 6:34 p.m.

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