This kid just keeps on getting better and better.
18 year-old rookie forward Jeron Teng exploded for a career-high 35 points as the DLSU Green Archers escaped from another tightly contested game, pulling away with an 87-86 double-overtime thriller against the National University Bulldogs today, August 18, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Teng also added six boards and two dimes to round out his career performance. The Xavier standout was the first Archer to score at least 30 points since fellow Xavier alumnus Joseph Yeo had a 31-point performance back in 2003.
“I wasn’t looking to score naman talaga pero I had to step up because L.A. [Revilla] didn’t practice for the whole week,” shared Teng.
Teng, with his impressive 35-point effort, had the most number of points tallied by a rookie in a single game since the UAAP computerized their stat recording in 2003.
After struggling in the previous games, Almond Vosotros finally broke out of his scoring funk as he tallied 18 markers to go along with six rebounds and three assists.
“Hats-off to Almond and Jeron for really playing well, and the rest of the team for really hanging together and staying tough in two overtime games again,” applauded Coach Gee Abanilla, talking about his team’s performance.
On the other hand, reigning UAAP MVP Bobby Ray Parks led the Bulldogs with an all-around performance, exactly matching Teng’s 35 points and adding seven rebounds and three assists, while rookie Jeth Rosario had a double-double performance with 14 points and 13 boards.
The Archers pulled away for good as they opened the second overtime period with consecutive three-pointers from Teng and Vosotros to put them up 85-79.
As Vosotros split his charities with 5 seconds left in the second extended regulation, Parks ran the down the floor and sank a desperation buzzer-beating three-pointer, trimming the lead to one which wasn’t enough to lift the Bulldogs to a victory.
“First of all thank God kasi sobrang, this season, parang wala ako,” added Vosotros.
The Taft-based squad almost sealed the victory in the 4th quarter after Vosotros made a freebie to tow the Archers to a 69-67 lead.
But the Bulldogs countered as Parks found Rosario beneath the basket to knot the score at 69. Vosotros would then miss a potential game-winning corner fade away jumper.
Entering the first overtime period, Teng scored five quick points to take a slim 74-71 lead. Parks would then respond by scoring the next six points to force a 79 point deadlock. Yutien Andrada would also miss another potential game-winning corner jumper, leading to another overtime period.
“It’s a good learning experience for them and I think this will be beneficial for us as the second round approaches. But again, this special group of boys just hangs tough and we’re very happy about it,” said Coach Abanilla about the efforts of his team.
The Archers got off to a hot start, racing to an early 15-7 lead, with Teng scoring 11 first quarter points in only 7 minutes of play.
They would end the opening canto with a 25-14 advantage after Vostros and team captain Revilla cashed in back-to-back outside shots.
National U then responded with a strong 15-4 run in the second canto as they grabbed a 31-29 lead after an Mbe putback. Vosotros kept the Archers’ arrows within striking distance by dialing in two consecutive shots from beyond the arc.
The Archers held a 42-37 lead at halftime.
With this win, the Archers are currently tied at 4th place in the standings with National U with both teams sporting a 4-3 win-loss record.
“I just feel that [in] all our games may pag-asa kahit paano na manalo, but it’s just we don’t know how to win the early part of the season and I’m just hoping we learn something from this,” concluded Coach Abanilla.
The Scores:
DLSU (87) – Teng 35, Vosotros 18, Andrada 8, Van Opstal 7, N. Torres 6, T. Torres 5, Mendoza 4, Revilla 3, Manguera 1, Gotladera 0, Tallo 0, Webb 0
NU (86) – Parks 35, Rosario 14, Mbe 12, Javillonar 6, Roňo 5, Alolino 4, Villamor 3, Khobuntin 3, Singh 2, De Guzman 2, Labing-isa 0, Betayene 0
Quarter scores: 25-14, 42-37, 59-52, 69-69, 79-79, 87-86
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