La Salle nips Ateneo on Teng's clutch basket
(UPDATED) Jeron Teng isn’t considered the “King Archer’ for nothing.
The sophomore forward hit a floater in the lane with 1.9 seconds left to give De La Salle a nail-biting 66-64 win over archrival Ateneo in a crucial UAAP Season 76 encounter at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Teng's clutch basket came after Kiefer Ravena tied the game on a tough drive with 14.9 seconds left. After a DLSU timeout, Teng received the ball and was isolated one-on-one against Chris Newsome. He drove to his right then pivoted to his left to create space and elevate for his shot. Newsome could do nothing but raise his arms, and Teng unleashed a soft floater that found its mark.
With no timeouts left, Ravena was forced to hoist a desperation three from backcourt that wasn't even close, giving the Green Archers their second win over the Blue Eagles this season, and their seventh overall against four defeats. Ateneo saw its winning streak snapped at five games, and the Blue Eagles dropped to 6-5, just half a game ahead of idle University of the East and in a tie with University of Sto. Tomas for fourth spot.
Five players, led by Juami Tiongson’s 14 points, contributed at least eight for Ateneo, which led 33-24 in the second canto but struggled to sustain its form in the face of La Salle's fightback.
La Salle also swept its two-game elimination meeting with Ateneo for the first time since 2005.
The Main Man: He may have struggled for majority of the game but Jeron Teng still had the last laugh.
The 6-foot-2 wingman came through with the game’s pivotal play, sinking a floater over the outstretched arms of Ateneo’s athletic Chris Newsome with 1.9 ticks to go.
Honorable Mention: Before Teng’s winning play, Almond Vosotros was the on-target Archer.
Hardly making his presence felt in the first 20 minutes, the 5-foot-8 guard pumped in 16 points in the second half, serving as the team’s steadying force in the stretch.
Game Turning Point: With the game hanging in the balance, coach Juno Sauler mapped out a play for Teng and was amply rewarded.
Wisely milking the clock, Teng then drove to his right and spun around Newsome before releasing the clutch floater that ultimately saved the day for the Archers with 1.9 seconds to play.
With no timeouts left, the Blue Eagles were left scrambling to make a last-gasp attempt, with Ravena taking a long heave from the backcourt as time expired.
They Said It:
La Salle coach Juno Sauler: “We just have to get the ball in Jeron and I just told him to make a good decision. If he gets doubled, he knows where the other guys would be. He made a good read (of the defense). He wasn’t double-teamed so he just took the shot.”
La Salle forward Jeron Teng: “All throughout the game, I couldn’t get my rhythm. But in the last play, I’m very thankful that Coach trusted me.”
The scores:
La Salle (66) – Vosotros 19, Perkins 13, Revilla 11, Teng 8, N. Torres 6, Van Opstal 4, Montalbo 3, Salem 2, Tampus 0, Reyes 0, De La Paz 0, Bolick 0.
Ateneo (64) – Tiongson 14, Elorde 13, Ravena 12, Buenafe 9, Newsome 8, Pessumal 4, Golla 2, Erram 2, Tolentino 0, Enriquez 0, Capacio 0.
Quarterscores: 13-16; 31-33; 46-49; 66-64.
