The 2017 PBA D-League Foundation Cup was supposed to be the crowning moment for Jeron Teng before he entered the big league
His team, the Flying V Thunder went on a season-best 11-game rampage from the elimination round up to Game One of the semis. Teng, on the other hand, averaged a conference-best 22.42 points and 5.83 assists to go along with 7.0 rebounds, proving to scouts and fans alike that he was not just a one-way player.
However, Teng’s hopes of winning a D-League crown all came crashing down after the Thunder fell to the CEU Scorpions, 67-72, in Game 3 of their best-of-three semifinals series, Thursday evening.
“Sayang kasi na-sweep namin yung eliminations. Unfortunately, we fell short in the semis,” lamented the 23-year-old second-generation star after the loss. “Sayang lang dahil alam namin na we could’ve achieved more.
“We just don’t know what happened.”
But Teng did his best to take the positives from the loss.
“I think in basketball it just happens, and we just have to learn from it.
“This experience will help us become better individual players and help us more mature,” the 23-year old vowed.
The former King Archer, despite the semis exit, still has high chances of winning the Foundation Cup MVP crown. But that does not matter for him, as all that he ever hoped for is to win the championship.
“Well from the very beginning I wasn’t really looking to win the MVP naman eh. I really want to win a championship sana before I go pro,” said the second-generation cager.
“Pero yun nga, unexpected things happen.”
With the elimination, Teng will have a three-month break before entering the PBA draft. And just as he has always done, he looks to add more weapons to his arsenal before the biggest day for aspirants arrive.
“Siguro itong time na meron ako, I’ll work on my individual skills… Yun lang para mas lalo ako ma-prepare pagdating sa PBA.”
