Jeron Teng’s storied collegiate career ended with gold
After La Salle’s Game One win last Saturday, Jeron Teng had an ironic request
“It’s ironic but gusto ko na matapos ang UAAP career ko. I want to end this on Wednesday.”
A standout from Xavier High School, he immediately made an impact during his rookie year en route to the Rookie of the Year plum. Then in his sophomore year, he helped lift the Green Archers to the top of the collegiate basketball mountain.
And after five years, two finals MVP’s, four Mythical Five selections, and two gold medals. The end of the road has come for the King Archer’s collegiate career.
And boy it was sweet.
Right from the get go, the 22-year-old stormed off the gates, punishing Ateneo’s young frontline. By the end of the first half, he had already tallied 19 markers.
“Right from the start pa lang, gusto ko na ibigay yung best ko talaga kasi ito yung last game ko na,” he said.
“I wanted to give my all for La Salle.”
La Salle’s championship-clinching game though did not come easy. Just like in Game One, Ateneo gave them a dog fight, eventually cutting the lead to just four points with 1:35 left.
Teng, the team’s veteran and calming presence, though was not to be denied. He bullied his way to the paint, drawing two defenders along the way. Then in a split second, he was able to find a cutting Ben Mbala for a wide-open layup that stopped their bleeding.
“For me as long as we have one goal and that is to win the championship, lahat gagawin namin,” reflected Teng, who averaged 19 points on 56 percent shooting to go along with 3.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists in the Finals. “If it requires us to follow the system, we’ll do that.”
As the seconds ticked down, he looked around the sea of Green — cherishing the last time he will wear the Green-and-White. From the clutch shots to the heartbreaks, it all came crashing down on him during that moment.
Once the final buzzer sounded and the confetti rained, Teng raised his hands in victor and in relief. He ended his collegiate career with no regrets, giving his all to La Salle
