JERON TENG LEADS LA SALLE GREEN ARCHERS TO UAAP SENIOR BASKETBALL CROWN
By Maxine Louise Lagman
7 December 2016
THEY were the crowd-favorite from the beginning of the season, a team filled in with veterans routed to lead the pack and claim victory once again. And just like a dream, the La Salle Green Archers are seen cutting down basketball nets at both ends, the crowd cheering proudly with a few shedding an iconic one-eye tear drop, while the drums banging along. But all became a blur in the background as the dream turned into reality as Jeron Teng lifted the championship trophy for everyone to see – the crown is back to Taft.
Ateneo might have won over La Salle in the second round of the tournament, but this time, the UAAP Men’s Basketball Game 2 Finals was all on the Green Archers. With over 17,500 spectators present in the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday, La Salle displayed their “mayhem mentality” and ended the tournament with a championship victory, 79-72.
The Green Archers dominated the UAAP season with only one loss in all of the games and even swept the championship series. It has been three years since DLSU played in the UAAP league championship round and won the title.
It was clear from the beginning of the game how the Green Archers stopped the Blue Eagles from making a point, as they dominated the first half with a 10-point lead, 45-35. Jeron Teng led and boosted DLSU as he scored 19 points.
By the third period, Ateneo made a run and closed the score gap to seven points. But La Salle was able to take control of the game until the fourth quarter despite Ateneo’s continuous attempt to overtake.
Graduating forward Teng ended his career in the collegiate UAAP tournament with a game-high 28 points, three rebounds and two assists. He was lucky enough to experience his second championship in his career and was named Finals MVP the second time as well.
“We have one goal, lahat gagawin talaga namin. Yung Finals MVP, reward nalang yun. Ayun lang, thankful lang talaga ako for the championship,” said Teng after the game.
Big man Ben Mbala did not disappoint, ending the tournament as well with a double-double record of 18 points, 10 rebounds and two steals. He was named as the Most Valuable Player in the UAAP season.
DLSU Coach Aldin Ayo left quite a big mark in the UAAP season as well as he became the first coach to win a back-to-back championship crown in the NCAA and UAAP. He was able to drive his former team, the Letran Knights, to victory last year and now DLSU Green Archers.
“It really feels good. Ang iniisip ko lang naman kasi talaga is maibalik yung championship sa La Salle,” said Ayo.
Ateneo fell short against their rival despite Mike Nieto’s boosting 18 points. Adrian Wong and Rafael Verano both added 10 points apiece while Anton Asistio had nine.
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