Dengue-hit Teng back in La Salle-FEU playoff

TENG: Out of the hospital yesterday.

La Salle expects star forward Jeron Teng to have fully recovered from a bout with mild dengue by Sunday, when the Green Archers clash with Far Eastern University in a playoff for the No. 2 spot in the UAAP men’s basketball tournament.

Teng was discharged from the hospital yesterday, three days before the crucial match where the Archers and the Tamaraws will also dispute the remaining twice-to-beat advantage in the Final Four.

“He’s getting better already,” said La Salle coach Juno Sauler of his ace gunner. “He will play.”

The playoff, which kicks off a virtual best-of-three series between the two semifinalists, is set at 4 p.m. on Sunday at Mall of Asia Arena.

Teng, who missed three practices with the defending champions, was diagnosed with dengue early this week together with his older brother and former University of Santo Tomas standout Jeric.

The younger Teng said he’s “feeling so much better” and got medical clearance to play this weekend.

Teng, last year’s Finals MVP, ranked second behind Ateneo’s Kiefer Ravena in this season’s MVP race with averages of 18.1 points, 7.1 rebounds and 4.0 assists.

The Archers also hope to get Thomas Torres back on board soon, two months after the starting point guard fractured his foot.

“Thomas has been practicing, but he’s still day to day,” Sauler said of Torres, who came in uniform but did not play in the Archers’ last elimination game. “We’ll see this week if he’s ready for the next game.”

Before the La Salle-FEU match, University of the East and National University will dispute the last Final Four berth at 4 p.m. tomorrow at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The winner of the knockout duel will advance to the Final Four versus Ateneo, which totes a twice-to-beat bonus as top semifinalist.