After an impressive rookie campaign, ending with an improved, 9-5, record for the De La Salle Green Archers, Jeron Alvin Teng ended his UAAP bid with the Rookie of the Year and Mythical Team honors last October 11 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Posting norms of 16.2 points, 6.9 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game, the former Xavier school standout became the first Archer to nab the Rookie of the Year plum after Jvee Casio won the award in 2003. Teng is also the first Archer to be included in the Mythical Five after Casio and Rico Maierhoffer were selected in 2008.
“It feels good, great and happy. I did all that I could and I represented the school right,” expressed Teng.
Along with Teng, Terrence Romeo of the FEU Tamaraws, Bobby Ray Parks Jr. of the National University Bulldogs, Karim Abdul of the UST Growling Tigers and Greg Slaughter of the Ateneo Blue Eagles completed the Mythical Five cast.
Finest moments
The 6’2 swingman also nailed a lasting impact in a game against UST after he drained a buzzer-beating jumper last August 29 at the Mall of Asia Arena that led to a picture-perfect finish.
With less than five seconds left in the clock, Teng drove hard against the defense of Kevin Ferrer to free himself up to take the game-winning shot.
“I knew I had to contribute kasi pinagkatiwala sa akin yung last shot,” he added.
Carrying on
With an almost intact roster and caching staff heading into next season, Teng hopes his achievements and experiences would help the team soar to new heights after the team’s total system overhaul.
“The team is still intact [and] surely mamimiss namin si Josh [Webb] and si Jovet [Mendoza], but I’m sure with our chemistry and with the coaches, kaya yan next year,” he concluded.
