Jeron Teng’s King Archer career ends with his best masterpiece

Naveen Ganglani

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Jeron Teng’s King Archer career ends with his best masterpiece
From the moment he joined La Salle up to defeating Ateneo, Jeron Teng exemplified what it was to be a King Archer

MANILA, Philippines – There was always something missing with Jeron Teng, or so they said. Despite the physical structure advanced for a player his age, there weren’t enough fundamentals, a jumpshot that looked broken, free throw shooting basically unreliable, and a lot of other aspects used to downplay his capabilities on the basketball court.

Even after performing in a way that few second-year players in Philippine collegiate sports history had ever done when he led La Salle to the 2013 UAAP title over UST, the noise was deafening before he could even lift up his Finals MVP trophy: “He doesn’t pass enough!” “All he does is drive it in!” “He’ll never make it great in the PBA.”

Maybe it was because he scored 104 points in a high school game with Xavier, or maybe because he was already branded as La Salle’s savior before he even stepped foot on campus and played a second of college basketball.

But it always felt like outside of Taft Avenue, there was more criticism than praise for Teng, who throughout his 5 years in the UAAP exemplified everything about being a “King Archer.”

Here’s something important to remember: when Teng’s commitment to La Salle became official, it was necessarily celebrated. It was early 2012, and the Green Archers were reeling from a 2011 season where they missed the Final Four for the second time in 3 years. For a basketball program as proud as De La Salle’s, that was unacceptable. “The Dark Ages,” is what students called it.

Then here came this kid, the promise of a better tomorrow and superstardom along with him. Teng always had the markings of being the next face of DLSU: from his fearless attacking on the court which screamed “I’m the best player on this floor” to the way he carried himself off it, everything about Teng screamed “La Salle.” 

Years later, and the memories he delivered seem endless: countless clutch performances, games won thanks to his brilliant individual performances, the revival of a proud basketball program, and most importantly, two championships. DLSU is arguably the hottest bed for collegiate basketball today, and Teng’s arrival, although not the lone factor, sparked the movement.

It wasn’t always perfect. His jumpshot did look like a mess at one point. When he stepped up to the free throw line, a miss was expected more than a make. There were games he carried the team on his shoulders and tried to deliver the win, but failed to do so. Who can ever forget “The Naked Truth?”

But being the King Archer, that was never in question. All that was missing in that resume of his was one thing, and by putting on a performance for the ages against the Ateneo Blue Eagles in the finals, it became complete.

28 points on 12-of-20 shooting, 3 rebounds, two assists, and another clutch showing to end his celebrated UAAP career, in the middle of the oldest and most acclaimed rivalry in Philippine sports. 

“He can’t shoot jumpers!” they said.

That’s what he did the entire first half, hitting one after the other, each jumpshot feeling like an “FU” to his critics. Mike Nieto, bless his soul, tried getting into Teng’s head, and what he received in return were a pointed finger, the sound of hands clapping, and the ire of a rabid Green Archers crowd. Teng got the technical foul, but safe to say he also had the last laugh.

“He doesn’t pass the ball!” they argued.

So with 1:12 left in the contest, La Salle only ahead by 4 and in need of a basket to deliver the school’s ninth UAAP title, Teng attacked the paint, drew two defenders, and kicked it out to a cutting Mbala who made what felt like the dagger of the game.

“He can’t hit free throws!”

He made 3 out of 4 in the final minutes of the contest, hearing chants of “MVP” from the sea of green at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum while at it.

FINAL DANCE. Jeron Teng celebrates during La Salle's 2016 Animo Night celebration. File photo by Alecs Ongcal/Rappler

“He’s clutch, he’s clutch. He’s our leader and he’s really a veteran,” Kib Montalbo said about his team captain after the championship was won.

(READ: Jeron Teng remains La Salle’s Mr Constant)

People close to the La Salle star will always tell you the same thing: he’s workhorse when the cameras aren’t rolling. From countless hours in the weight room to extra work on his weaknesses, the evolution of Teng’s game over the past 5 years has been stirring to watch. 

On Wednesday, December 7, with the entire country watching, it all came full circle. And for that, the Blue Eagles went home in defeat.

“Right from the start palang, gusto ko na ibigay yung best ko talaga, cause ito yung last game ko na, so I really wanted to give my all out for La Salle,” Teng said later on.

(Right from the start, I wanted to give my best because it was my last game, so I really wanted to give my all out for La Salle.)

And that’s what he did, dating back to when he won Rookie of the Year and brought the Green Archers back to the Final Four.

That’s what he did, one year later, when he led La Salle to the UAAP Finals and back from a 0-1 deficit against his brother Jeric and the UST Growling Tigers to win the school a UAAP crown for the first time in 6 years.

That’s what he did the next two seasons, even if he and La Salle fell short to FEU which was just the better team.

That’s what he did in the Final Four this year against Adamson, delivering some more clutch baskets to avoid a collapse.

That’s what he did in Game 1 against the Eagles, hitting the game-winner and delivering a crunch time block.

That’s what he did in Game 2 against Ateneo, when it was clear from the opening tip he was going to be the best player on the court and no one was going to come close to stopping him.

That’s what he did, every time he wore a La Salle jersey in the last 5 years.

“I really won’t forget this cause I think La Salle deserves a championship. I’m really thankful for the 5 years. They’ve been great to me, and no better way than to give it back with a championship,” Teng later said, moments before entering DLSU’s locker room to party.

Who knows what will happen to Jeron Teng moving forward? But one thing’s for sure: his legacy as this era’s King Archer will live forever. – Rappler.com

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