Jeron Teng remains La Salle’s Mr Constant

MANILA, Philippines – There he was again. The ball in his hands, the focus of the defense on him, and the eyes of thousands of spectators eagerly watching every dribble. The chance to dictate the narrative was in Jeron Teng’s control. Win, and talks of whether or not a team expected to dominate the competition was overhyped is alleviated. Lose, and the noise becomes deafening. 

The FEU Tamaraws weren’t supposed to be tied at 74-all with 2:44 remaining in their season-opener against the DLSU Green Archers. Not after the arrival of a talent never seen before like Ben Mbala. Not with the depth of La Salle. Not when Mac Belo, Mike Tolomia, and RR Pogoy were no longer wearing Far Eastern U colors.

But once again, FEU was criminally underrated. So many forgot that these Tamaraws had too much pride, that Nash Racela was too good of a coach, and that there is always so much on the line whenever these two schools meet on the hardwood.

So the scene was set. With nothing to lose and everything to gain, the defending champions had the opportunity to steal the consensus favorite’s thunder, a chance to make a statement that the UAAP still runs through them.

But Teng wouldn’t have any of it. 

Come closing time, he didn’t allow La Salle to choke away a 16-point lead in the second half. He didn’t allow a team that has heavily relied on him since his entry in the collegiate ranks to suffer another morale-crushing loss late in the game against their fiercest rivals. A total of 28 points on 52% shooting, 6 rebounds, and another clutch showing when DLSU needed it most.

La Salle prevailed, 83-78, and as new Green Archers head coach Aldin Ayo puts it, “A win is a win.” There was no blowout as many thought, although their record still stands at 1-0. Mbala was gigantic with 13 points and 23 rebounds. Aljun Melecio played more like a veteran than a rookie in his debut game with 10 points. But when the pressure was at its highest, they have #21 to thank for delivering the W. Until today, despite the changes in the last few years, Jeron Teng remains La Salle’s constant guy.

“Sa huli, si Coach, binibigyan kami ng confidence to shoot. When you’re open, just be responsible. If you think mashoo-shoot mo, shoot mo,” said Teng post-game on Wednesday, September 7.

(In the end, Coach gives us the confidence to shoot. When you’re open, just be responsible. If you think you can shoot it, shoot it.)

So much has changed in the last half decade. Players have come and go, but the presence of Teng, whether fair or not, has been the biggest attraction for La Salle. Before he even played a single game in a green-and-white uniform, Teng was already being branded as the next “King Archer.” The standout from Xavier who once scored 104 points in a high school game was expected to lift a proud basketball program out of its turbulent ages and back to title contention. 

Truth be told – and he doesn’t get enough credit for this – Teng has already exceeded the lofty expectations which were only heightened the moment he first stepped foot on campus. Clutch performances such as the one on Wednesday should no longer even come as a surprise. 

There was the big 3-pointer against Ateneo in the 2012 Filoil tournament. There was the buzzer-beater against UST in his rookie season. There was the 35-point, record-breaking outburst for a freshman versus NU. There was the game-winner to beat Ateneo in his second year. There was the run to the championship where he was named Finals MVP after scoring 25 points and grabbing 8 rebounds despite suffering through cramps in the deciding Game 3 against UST. The list goes on, but sometimes, it feels he still doesn’t get enough credit.

His teammates will say that his work ethic is admirable, whether it’s in the gym for extra weight-lifting sessions or on the court for extra work on his ball-handling or jump shot. Since his rookie season, the criticism on his game has had two main features: his inconsistent jumper and free throw shooting. Against FEU on Wednesday, he went 6-of-8 from the line and hit most of his field goals with mid-range Js, a testament to how far he’s improved. 

At one point in the first half, FEU’s most pesky defender, Ron Dennison, dared Teng to shoot a jumper from the wing. The Green Archer, who was backing him down, turned around and hit a tough fadeaway, then put both arms up and gave his Tamaraw opponent a smirk. Just a few years back, it seemed impossible for Teng to convert that. Nowadays, his jumper has become a norm.

To be fair, the arrival of Mbala – all 6-foot-7 of him paired with superb athleticism – has provided opportunities on offense for Teng unlike ever before.

“Kahit medyo minalas si Ben na first-game jitters (5-of-13 FG, 6 turnovers), as you can see he really dominated the rebounding category… so alam mo ‘yun, pag tumitira ka tapos alam mo na may Ben Mbala ka, kumpiyansa ka lang kasi alam mong pupulutin niya ang bola eh,” said Teng.

(Even if Ben had some tough luck because of first-game jitters, as you can see he really dominated the rebounding category… so you know, when you take a shot and you know there’s a Ben Mbala there, you’re confident because you know he can get the ball.)

For the first time since his arrival at La Salle, Teng has a teammate who matches his skill-level and impact on the court, if not even exceeds it. As proven in La Salle’s Filoil title run, Mbala can be a force of nature, but the Tamaraws also displayed with constant double and triple teams that the Cameroonian can be contained with well-planned defense, and that the Green Archers (27 turnovers) are not as invincible as initially thought.

“It was pretty hard but I have to find ways to get back my game,” Mbala said.

That’s why Ayo and this team still needs Teng to do what he’s done many times for the last 5 seasons – to take control of the game and put the ball in the hole. Sure, the complaints of him hogging the handle every once in a while holds merit. But, as was the case on Wednesday, it can also at times be a necessity for this team.

“Last year ko na (It’s my last year) and we’re just trying to get as much wins as we can,” Teng said when asked if every minute of every game this year will be extra special. 

There he was again, with 2:20 remaining on the clock, his team up only by one, 75-74. Jeron Teng had the leather and drove to the rim, banking in a layup to make it a 3-point game. After FEU big man Prince Orizu split his free throws, Teng had the ball on the wing, called for a screen from Abu Tratter, and confidently pulled up inside the 3-point line for a jumper. Swish.

After Orizu made two free throws, Tratter missed a layup, but Teng was there for the rebound and was fouled by Dennison. He trooped to the free throw line – a place where he’s faced demons in the past – and converted both shots to make it a two-possession game, 81-77, with a second over a minute to go. FEU no longer rallied.

Once again, DLSU needed its go-to guy in the clutch to deliver. And once again, Jeron Teng answered the call. – Rappler.com