Playing different roles, Jeron Teng steps up for depleted Alaska

Jeron Teng. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Jeron Teng is one of Alaska’s most diligent troopers and with the team still severely undermanned three games into its campaign in the PBA Philippine Cup, the sophomore wing man knew he had to step up to the plate.

Constantly switching from being a backcourt player to playing up front, Teng shone brightly in his best game of the season, scoring 18 points on 5-of-10 shooting and grabbing six rebounds.

Listed as a guard in the Aces’ roster, Teng, at times, had to play power forward just to fill in the gaps in the system but the 24-year-old said he’s fine with whatever role he’s given even if it means he has to adjust on the fly.

“I just keep myself ready every time I get on the court and I always try to give my best whatever role coach asks me to play,” said Teng Wednesday at Mall of Asia Arena.

“I’ll do whatever it takes to win,” he added.

Alaska is still missing Vic Manuel, JVee Casio, Simon Enciso, Yutien Andrada, and rookie GBoy Babilonia due to injuries and some players had to adjust and play multiple positions just to keep the system in place.

Teng’s skills weren’t the only thing put to the test but also his character after Blackwater fought tooth and nail in the final seven minutes of the game.

The Elite erased Alaska’s 90-82 lead with an 11-2 run to take a 93-92 buffer with 3:41 left to play after Allein Maliksi’s three-pointer.

Alaska, however, got back to its offense and scored on back-to-back baskets with Sonny Thoss giving the Aces a 103-100 lead with 34.3 seconds remaining on a free throw line jumper.

Although Teng went scoreless in the final period, he made enough impact for the Aces to get the win.

“I think it was our composure that brought us the win and we just stuck to the system,” said Teng. “It’s a good thing we made crucial baskets at the end.”