At A Glance
- After not seeing action in the series opener and in the first half of Game 2, San Miguel head coach Leo Austria assured that Jeron Teng will be part of the rotation in the coming games in their best-of-seven series.
After not seeing action in the series opener and in the first half of Game 2, San Miguel head coach Leo Austria assured that Jeron Teng will be part of the rotation in the coming games in their best-of-seven series.
The veteran coach admitted feeling guilty for not utilizing the versatile forward but commended Teng for being professional despite not getting his usual minutes.
“Guilting-guilty ako noong first game, di ko siya nagamit. And then after that game, kinabukasan sa practice, I told him, be ready,” disclosed Austria.
“I have to appreciate him because he's really a professional, no question, no complaint. And then this time, (I said) your time will come anytime. And it happens today,” he added.
But playing for a deep team that has plenty of weapons, Teng simply knew that the only way for him to crack the rotation is to deliver when his number is called.
“As a player, siyempre, mentality ko right now is just being ready whenever my number's called. I think sa game na ito, matured na ako. So yung focus ko is controlling what I have control of and that is to be ready every time my number is called” said Teng.
The 31-year-old forward had an instant impact the moment he stepped on the court, scoring all of his 13 points in the second half while also finding June Mar Fajardo and Mo Tautuaa on nice entry passes to feed the pivotal rally in the final frame.
On top of that, Teng was also tasked to shadow RJ Abarrientos, who torched SMB in Game 1.
“I'm just here to really help out the team whatever the team needs me to do. So I'm all for us to win,” stressed Teng.