After failing to field in Jeron Teng in the opener, San Miguel coach Leo Austria gave him his much-deserved minutes in Game 2 of the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup semifinals.
San Miguel coach Leo Austria was overcome with guilt after failing to field in Jeron Teng in the squad's PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup semifinals opener against Ginebra last Sunday, Jan. 4.
When the SMB mentor gave Teng his minutes in Game 2 three days later, Teng made the most out of it, resulting in a 93-84 win for the team that levelled the best-of-seven series against the Gin Kings.
[WATCH: San Miguel levels semis series with Ginebra in Game 2 | PBA Highlights]
“What happened in the fourth quarter is pure guts for Jeron. Because in the first game, I was not able to use him… Guilty na guilty ako. First game, hindi ko siya nagamit,” said Austria.
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Teng made the fourth quarter his showcase, pouring all but one of his total 13 points there for the Beermen, who climbed from an 11-point hole.
His last basket came in the 4:35 mark, giving SMB an 84-77 advantage, before Mo Tautuaa, June Mar Fajardo and Jericho Cruz delivered the finishing blows.
Jeron Teng soars for San Miguel in the fourth quarter of Game 2. | Photo: RM Chua/One Sports
Teng also submitted five rebounds and three assists in just over 15 minutes of play.
“I have to appreciate him because he’s really a professional. No question, no complaints. This time sabi ko sa kaniya your time will come anytime,” Austria said.
Fajardo posted another monster game of 21 points and 23 rebounds, while Don Trollano bounced back from a sloppy performance in Game 1 with his 12 markers.
Cruz and Cjay Perez chipped in 11 points each.
Before Teng's fourth quarter heroics, it was Marcio Lassiter who shone for the Beermen in the third, scoring all of his nine points in the team’s 31-21 assault that slowly changed the complexion of the game.
Meanwhile, Stephen Holt and RJ Abarrientos led Ginebra with 18 points apiece.
Norbert Torres scored 10, while Troy Rosario contributed nine points, nine rebounds and four assists.
Game 3 is set Friday, Jan. 7, with the Beermen looking to gain the series lead.
San Miguel vs. Ginebra Scores:
San Miguel 93 – Fajardo 21, Teng 13, Trollano 12, Cruz 11, Perez 11, Lassiter 9, Tautuaa 6, Ross 4, Brondial 4, Cahilig 2, Tiongson 0, Rosales 0
Ginebra 84 – Holt 18, Abarrientos 18, Torres 10, Rosario 9, Thompson 9, J.Aguilar 8, David 4, Cu 3, Gray 3, Adamos 2, Estil 0, Pinto 0
Quarterscores: 12-19, 34-42, 65-63, 93-84
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Like most sportswriters, Jan Ballesteros once dreamed of becoming a professional hooper. But he learned the hard way that it’s not for everyone.
He continues to be involved in the sport he loves, but this time as a member of the PBA Press Corps. Aside from primarily covering the PBA, he is also assigned to cover Gilas Pilipinas.