MANILA, Philippines –  After locking horns in the biggest stage of collegiate sports 5 years ago, Jeric and Jeron Teng continue their brotherly rivalry in the PBA. 

The Teng brothers, who headlined the 2013 UAAP Finals pitting Jeric’s UST Growling Tigers and Jeron’s La Salle Green Archers, met for the first time in Asia’s first play-for-pay league. 

And just like the last time they squared off against each other with La Salle edging UST in a do-or-die Game 3, Jeron got the better of his older brother with his Alaska eking out a 109-103 win over Jeric’s GlobalPort on Saturday, June 2. 

Although he lost to Jeron again, Jeric was just glad to have shared the basketball court with his brother. 

“Masaya dahil after what, mga 5 or 6 years naglaban ulit kami. Pero it’s a different scenario dahil we’re on different teams, different roles pero still, masaya pa rin na naglalaban tsaka one point, nagkabantayan pa kami,” Jeric said.

(I’m happy because after 5 or 6 years, we faced each other again. But it’s a different scenario because we’re on different teams and we have different roles. But still, I’m happy and at one point, we even guarded each other.)

The older Teng was a non-factor in the loss, going scoreless in 8 minutes of action and tallying just an assist and a turnover. 

Jeron, meanwhile, had a solid output of 8 points, 10 rebounds and two steals in 22 minutes of play. 

With a win and a better performance to brag, Jeron had time to roast his kuya. 

“Syempre asar-talo na naman yan dahil sa college panalo na ako, PBA, panalo pa rin first game,” Jeron said in jest. 

(Of course he will be a sore loser because I’ve already won in college and I also beat him here in the PBA in our first game against each other.) 

The two went home together in the same car and Jeric said he isn’t taking the loss personally.

“Tanggap na yan, basketball lang,” Jeric said. 

(I already accepted it. It’s just basketball.)

– Rappler.com