Teng drops 28 as La Salle holds off defending champion FEU

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – The De La Salle Green Archers, the most experienced team this season, had a wobbly UAAP Season 79 debut as they held on in the fourth to overcome defending champion FEU Tamaraws, 83-78, in the men’s basketball tournament on Wednesday, September 7, at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The Archers, the heavy favorites to win the championship way before the season started, blew a 16-point third quarter lead and allowed the younger Tamaraws to tie the game, 74-all, with under 4 minutes left in the game.

But Jeron Teng, who exploded with 28 points, 6 rebounds, and one steal, hit key baskets and crucial free throws in the final 2:14 minutes to stave off FEU.

“A win is a win. Well, that was a hard-fought game. We were rusty,” said first-year UAAP head coach Aldin Ayo. “That was our first game, and we hadn’t played for almost 3 weeks. Our last tune-up was the one that didn’t end. So (there’s) the rust factor, and decision making, especially on our defense and especially in the end-game.”

Highly-touted big man Ben Mbala debuted in the UAAP with 13 points as he pulled down 23 rebounds and tallied 4 blocks in over 34 minutes. Rookie guard Aljun Melecio finished with 10 points as La Salle gave up 19 points off 27 turnovers.

“I think there’s still a lot of adjustment. It was pretty hard but I have to find ways to get back to my game,” said the Cameroonian. “It doesn’t matter if it’s UAAP or FilOil or other league, I still have to be able to come out there and provide what coach asked me to provide.”

Mbala indeed provided strong rebounding that gave guys like Teng confidence to take shots. La Salle dominated that category, 50-38.

“In the end coach gave us confidence to shoot. When you’re open, just be responsible, if you think you can make it then shoot it,” said Teng, who shot 52% from the field (11-of-21) and 6-of-8 free throws.

“Knowing that we got great rebounders – even Ben, though he had first game jitters – as you can see he really dominated the rebounding category, 23 rebounds. So when you take a shot and you know you have a guy like Ben Mbala right there, you feel confident because you know he’ll get the ball if it misses.”

Five Tamaraws finished in double figures with Ron Dennison leading the charge with 13 points, 4 rebounds, and two steals. Jojo Trinidad had 12 markers and 3 assists, while Monbert Arong had 11 points and 5 boards.

Prince Orizu notched a double-double 10 points plus 10 rebounds as Wendell Comboy chipped in 10 markers.

FEU topped La Salle in assists, 15-9, and also had 7 players with at least 7 points, sending the Archers a message that the road to the UAAP title will not be easy.

“We expected this (close game),” said Ayo, who led the Letran Knights to the NCAA championship last year.

“I’ve been telling the guys that it’s not going to be easy, you’re going to adjust, they’re going to break our press, they’ll try their best to figure out how to crack our defense, which they did, and we have to work on that.”

“Even on our second game there will be pressure, especially UP and I think they lost last year to UP in their second game also, so it’ll be there and we just have to embrace that,” he added. – Rappler.com