MANILA, Philippines – DLSU Green Archers star Jeron Teng says he’s surely returning for his fifth and final year of UAAP playing eligibility in 2016.
Speaking to the media following La Salle’s season-ending loss to the FEU Tamaraws on Wednesday, November 18, Teng said he’s “definitely” not finished wearing the green-and-white in the UAAP.
“Yeah, definitely. I don’t want my last game wearing the DLSU uniform like this, ending it like this,” Teng said after his team blew another double-digit lead and lost their second game to FEU this season.
La Salle finished with a 6-8 record, fifth overall in the league standings and out of the Final Four picture.
It’s the first time in his 4-year college career Teng will miss the Final Four. Under UAAP rules, he has one more year left to play.
“Definitely I’ll be back stronger next year,” said Teng, a former UAAP Finals MVP in 2013, who averaged 18.3 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 3.6 assists a game this season.
“Just this year, I learned a lot of lessons and I’m really carrying it to next year. Hopefully we have a better season,” he added.
La Salle is expected to enter one of the favorites to win the UAAP title next year with returnees such as Teng, an improving Prince Rivero, plus Andrei Caracut, Thomas Torres, and more.
DLSU is also expected to add new talented pieces like Ben Mbala and Mark Dyke.
When asked about the loss to FEU, which beat La Salle relying on second and third string players, Teng said:
“Syempre (of course), it’s a painful loss for us because ito sana yung ticket namin (this was supposed to be our ticket) for a playoff game against NU, pero, yun, we fell short.”
A win for La Salle would have forced a playoff against NU for the fourth seed in the Final Four. With FEU winning, the Bulldogs now have sole possession of the spot and will face the top seed UST Growling Tigers.
FEU, on the other hand, finished as the number two seed and will take on number 3 seed Ateneo. – Rappler.com