UAAP: Despite title-less college career, UST star Jeric Teng exits with pride

After losing game three of the UAAP men's basketball finals, King Tiger Jeric Teng was a picture of serenity and relief during the post-game interview.

"When I went to UST nung rookie year ko, I wanted to graduate with a championship," said Jeric Teng. "Siguro it's not for me lang talaga."

The son of "Robocop" Alvin Teng is looking forward to the normalcy that comes with the end of the UAAP men's basketball season.

"Siguro happy narin kami kasi kahit papano, di na kami magkalaban ngayon," said the older Teng about the sibling rivalry with younger brother Jeron. "Medyo makakahinga na. Ok na kami sa bahay."

Teng poured in 24 big points in his final game for the black and gold. Unfortunately, the Tigers were just outlasted by the DLSU Green Archers in overtime.
 
The former Xavier standout was positive after the loss, as he disclosed how much he relished every game after going down with a shoulder injury in the first round:

"When I got injured, di ko alam na makakalaro pa ko e. Yung paglalaro ko palang, blessing na siya and every game, sinasabi ko lang na sana ma-extend ako. Siguro sobra sobra na kung ibibigay pa samin yung championship. [We] started from number six, dahan-dahan kaming umakyat. I think we're blessed na to be in this situation."

Teng had a lot of good words for his brother, who eventually earned the Finals MVP crown. The younger Teng tallied 25 markers, including 12 in the fourth period.

"Mixed emotions din. Very sad ako coz its my last year. Wala na kong chance; its done," said Jeric. "Pero I'm happy also kasi Jeron, ang laki ng inimprove niya talaga this season and grabe siya this finals. Yung defense namin nakafocus na sa kanya pero he finds ways to be effective: scoring, passing, rebounding. Lahat ginagawa na niya and as a brother I'm very proud of him. He's deserving of the Finals MVP [award].

"At the end of the day, when I look back, manghihinayang ako kasi we were very close to getting the championship pero we made some crucial mistakes and La Salle won."

The exiting UST team captain now looks to some of his team's veteran players to sustain the drive to give the Espana-based squad a championship:

"Siyempre the other players have to step up. Siguro hindi lang isang leader," Jeric said. "I think maraming veterans. They all have to be leaders: [Karim] Abdul, [Aljon] Mariano, [Kevin] Ferrer. Sila yung tatlo na I think they really need to be leaders next season."

With the burden now lifted off the shoulders of the King Tiger, Teng shared that his PBA draft plans are still up in the air, as he has yet to talk to his family and his manager about it.

"Siguro mag-eenjoy muna ko. I'll have to eat more nanaman," said Jeric. "I have to gain weight again kasi I lost weight after nung injury ko. Di ako nakapag-gym coz I had to strengthen my shoulder. [Sa] offseason magfo-focus na ko sa shoulder ko; palalakasin ko pa siya."

After half a decade, the marketing major now looks forward to completing his OJT en route to gradutating from UST:

"OJT nalang next sem sa Gerry's Grill. Sana payagan." – AMD/HS, GMA News