JERIC Teng hopes to get the most out of his second opportunity in the PBA after suiting up for Mahindra for the first time on Sunday in the Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The 25-year-old shooting guard scored three points in seven minutes of play in a 94-91 loss to defending champion San Miguel.
Although in game shape, Teng said he has yet to get in rhythm after practicing with the team over the last four days.
He hopes to get better as the all-Filipino conference wears on.
“I’m still trying to know the system of coach and 'yung mga teammates ko rin siyempre, as I try to gel with them,” said Teng just moments after the Floodbuster absorbed their fourth straight loss.
“Hopefully, I’ll do better the following games and get more minutes at the same time.”
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Teng played his first three years in the pro league with Rain or Shine as the team’s 12th pick overall (second round) in the 2013 Rookie Draft.
While he won a championship with the Elasto Painters (2016 Commissioner’s Cup), the eldest of the two playing sons of former PBA player Alvin Teng didn’t really get to reach his true potential with the franchise. By the end of last season, he wasn’t offered a new contract by the team, becoming an unrestricted free agent.
The Mahindra call-up came within the week as the Floodbuster were looking for help in boosting their outside shooting after losing their first three games by an average margin of 18 points.
While he doesn’t advertise himself as the answer to Mahindra’s woes, Teng hopes he’ll be of help to the three-year franchise in its season-opening campaign.
“Siyempre masaya ako na may opportunity pa rin ako to play in the PBA,” said the product of University of Santo Tomas. “Yung mentality ko naman is to be ready anytime. I hope sa practice makapag gel pa ako sa team.”
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