Son of Beermen great will try to find his spot in deep rotation

Jeron Teng (left) will join a deep San Miguel rotation that includes Jericho Cruz (right). —AUGUST DELA CRUZ

New challenges lie ahead for Jeron Teng now that he has joined an already stacked San Miguel Beer squad ahead of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) season.

Cracking the solid rotation of coach Jorge Gallent is one of the things Teng will have to work for after he signed a two-year deal on Wednesday, a development that enhances the Beermen’s billing as one of the teams to beat in the import-laden Commissioner’s Cup.

For San Miguel, Teng is a welcome addition to its wealth of options.

“He is a big three (small forward) which we really need for versatility in our rotation,” Beermen team manager Gee Abanilla told the Inquirer after the move was revealed on social media.

Teng and his agent Danny Espiritu shared photos of the player shaking hands with San Miguel Corporation sports director Alfrancis Chua to complete the deal.

The deal brings a familiar name back to the Beermen’s fold.

Teng is the son of PBA great Alvin Teng, who spent most of his productive years as a stalwart of the San Miguel squad that dominated the late 80s and early 90s and was a vital cog of the team that in 1989 became just the second franchise to annex a rare Grand Slam.

Jeron, the former La Salle star, spent the past season with Converge, which opted not to negotiate an extension after his contract expired last month.

Much of the focus the past few weeks, however, was on the personal side. Sunday saw Teng tying the knot with his longtime girlfriend Jeanine Tsoi, which also made the Beermen deal another good way to start life as a newlywed.

“I think he could be a good addition to our team,” said Abanilla.

San Miguel will try to figure well into title contention of the season-opening conference with a roster headlined by June Mar Fajardo and CJ Perez, prominent figures in Gilas Pilipinas’ historic run to the Hangzhou Asian Games (Asiad) gold.

Minutes are also going to be spreaded around two-way wingman Jericho Cruz, offensive-minded guard Terrence Romeo and big men Mo Tautuaa, Vic Manuel and Rodney Brondial.

Veterans Chris Ross and Marcio Lassiter, also members of Gilas’ Asiad success, can still provide some quality minutes if they stay healthy.

Teng joins his third team since Alaska selected him in the first round of the 2017 Draft following a decorated UAAP career. When the Aces sold their franchise to Converge, Teng was among those who starred for the new PBA squad.