Jeron Teng had a D-League debut to remember
The former De La Salle University Green Archer skipper led the AMA Online Education Titans to a 101-95 win in the opener of the 2017 PBA D-League Aspirants Cup, Thursday afternoon at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
As good as advertised, Teng made a sensational debut, scoring a whopping 42 points for the Titans. He was 12-of-27 from the field and 12-of-15 from the foul stripe to go along with six rebounds, six assists, a steal, and a block.
“Actually, ine-expect namin na siya talaga ang mag-carry ng team namin ngayon. So talagang lahat ng opportunity, pag kailangan binibigay namin sa kanya,” said AMA head coach Mark Herrera about the first overall pick in the 2017 D-League Draft.
And Teng was lit right from the get-go, dropping 19 points in the opening half.
“Nakita naman natin na siya ang naging leader sa loob. Sa kanya nagsisimula hindi lang yung fire ng team namin, pati yung leadership. Importante ang leadership niya,” Herrera added.
And when Batangas tried to fight back, Teng found an unlikely ally in former Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagle Juami Tiongson.
After AMA had gained their biggest lead of the game, 89-72, midway through the final frame — aided by seven straight points from Tiongson — Batangas slowly chipped at the lead behind huge shots from Don Carlo Fortu and Joseph Sedurifa. A triple by Sedujiria with 56.6 ticks remaining sliced the lead to just seven, 87-94.
However, the AMA duo did not allow any comeback, as a clutch jumper by Tiongson followed up by free throws from Teng sealed the win for the Titans. Moreover, Tiongson and Teng scored all 28 fourth quarter points for AMA.
“Malaking morale boost sa amin ito. Siyempre, unang game, panalo, with the crowd na ganyan kadami, sana masundan pa,” Herrrera reflected.
Tiongson, who last played for the Blackwater Elite, finished the game with 15 points. Ryan Arambulo added 13 markers while burly big man JR Taganas grabbed 18 rebounds.
The Titans shot 52 percent from the field compared to 40 percent for Batangas. In addition, AMA shot 41 free throw attempts for the game from 31 fouls given. Batangas only had 12 attempts from the same distance.
Meralco practice player Sedurifa paced Batangas with 25 points on 9-of-20 shooting. Fortu added 18 points, all coming from long distance.
The AMA Online Education Titans (1-0) next face the Cignal-San Beda Hawkeyes on Tuesday, January 24, at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City. On the other hand, the Province of Batangas (0-1) will have a 12-day break before facing the Victoria Sports-MLQU on Tuesday, January 31, at the same venue.
The Scores:
AMA (101) – Teng 42, Tiongson 15, Arambulo 13, Olayon 10, Taganas 6, Dario 6, Alabanza 5, Barua 4, Carpio 0, Jordan 0, Bragais 0.
Batangas (95) – Sedurifa 25, Fortu 18, Isit 10, Menor 9, De Joya 8, Ablaza 6, Sara 5, Dela Pena 4, Anderson 4, Revadavia 4, Laude 2, Mendoza 1, Inciong 0, Delfinado 0.
Quarterscores: 23-16, 51-37, 73-68, 101-95.
