Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Just like most of his collegiate career, Jeron Teng stood at the forefront of another epic La Salle victory over fierce rival Ateneo Saturday night in Game 1 of the UAAP Season 79 finals at Mall of Asia Arena.
And as his stint with the Green Archers winds down, Teng notes the irony of wanting to end his UAAP career earlier than expected. What matters to him now is going out as a champion.
“I just want Wednesday to be my last game,” said Teng, who shot 10 points, including the go-ahead basket in the 67-65 nipping of the Blue Eagles. “It’s funny but I don’t want to play two more games.”
Picked to go all the way owing to their talented lineup led by MVP Ben Mbala, the Archers can wrap up the series and a ninth title with another victory at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Getting tantalizingly close to the crown wouldn’t have been possible if not for Teng’s endgame heroics in the series opener when he also blocked Aaron Black’s potential go-ahead jumper.
Moments earlier, he went all the way for a layup off Kib Montalbo’s steal to give La Salle a 66-65 edge.
Teng was quick to deflect the credit to Mbala.
“Ben sealed and he took his man out so I saw an opening,” said Teng. “Credit to Ben also for getting me a good shot.”
La Salle coach Aldin Ayo marveled at his two stars’ exploits down the stretch against an Ateneo squad that refused to quit even after going 13 points down in the third period.
Rookie Aljun Melecio also sparkled in the victory with four treys, the last giving La Salle a 63-59 lead with 4:31 left.
“JT (Teng) is a veteran and Ben is just so talented,” Ayo said. “I was sure they would do everything to win.”