Younger Teng seizes spotlight

JERON TENG: I feel my brother’s loss. AUGUST DELA CRUZ

THE YOUNGER brother turned out to be the winner.

One of the most compelling storylines of the season ended yesterday with La Salle star Jeron Teng hugging older brother and University of Santo Tomas top gunner Jeric.

Jeron just bagged the Finals Most Valuable Player award after powering the Green Archers to the UAAP men’s basketball championship with a 71-69 win over the UST Growling Tigers in the third game of the best-of-three series.

But his celebration was controlled.

“When the buzzer sounded, I really don’t know what to feel,” said Jeron. “The other side, I’m happy because we’re champions. But the other side, I feel my brother’s loss.”

Jeron averaged 19.3 points, 8.0 rebounds and 3.7 assists in the title series to bag the highest individual honor.

He responded one more time in the rubber match where the Archers rallied from 15 points down and finished with a team-high 25 points on top of eight boards and six assists.

“It’s not just about me leading,” said Jeron. “The entire team, with the help of the coaches, all helped. We all pulled ourselves together.”

But Jeron still remembers the sight of his brother Jeric, hanging his head while shedding tears as he fell short of winning a championship for the second straight season.

Jeric had been been very vocal of wanting to finally take home a crown on his fifth and final year. So it was more heartbreaking that his brother had to be the one to spoil his last title hopes.

“I just said he really did his best,” Jeron said, sharing what he whispered to his brother as they hugged. “He gave his all.”

Indeed, Jeric had nothing to be ashamed of. In the Finals, he also posted  team-best averages of 23 points, 5.3 rebounds and a couple of assists.

“He really played his heart out,” said Jeron. “To me, he’s a deserving MVP.”

While the pain still cuts through, Jeric said he is very proud of Jeron, who now has a a championship, a Finals MVP and Rookie of the Year honors in just two seasons in the league.

“Although we lost and my collegiate career is over, I’m happy for Jeron,” said Jeric. “Our defense had been really focused on him. He found ways to be effective. As a brother, I’m proud of him.”

In a way, the Teng brothers also felt relief. The past two weeks, theirs had been a house divided with father and former PBA bruiser Alvin cheering from the La Salle stands, while mother Susan sits in the UST gallery.

The brothers even made some friendly bets—such as the loser cleaning their room for months—but Jeron admitted it feels like he’ll be hurting his brother more.

“Naawa ako kay Jeric, libre ko na lang siya (I feel bad for Jeric, I’ll just treat him),” Jeron said with a laugh. “Maybe for one month, so he’d be happy.”

“I know how he wanted this game,” said Jeric. “Right now I’m also happy na hindi na kami magkalaban, makakahinga na kami sa bahay (I’m also happy that we’re no longer competing. We can now breathe easily at home).”