Reigning Rookie of the Year, Jeric Teng is our latest Featured Teen! Read the Pinoy Teens EXCLUSIVE Interview with the TENGMINATOR of the UST Growling Tigers!
The “Tengminator” aka Jeric Allan U. Teng is recently concluded UAAP Season 72 Basketball’s Rookie of the Year. Jeric stands 6 ft. and 2 inches and weighs 170 lbs and plays in the Small Guard position for the UST Growling Tigers–one of the top 4 teams of this season. Jeric was born on March 18, 1991 and is currently taking up BS Commerce in the University of Santo Tomas.
Albeit Jeric calls himself as someone merely “lucky”, digits earned in the hardwood prove that the Tengminator does not simply rely on luck alone. As a matter of fact, during his rookie season, he garnered an average of 11.4 points, 4.4. rebounds and 1.6 assists per game–something you can hardly expect from a rookie like him. Sometime also in the season, he gained himself a series of good records by earning 18, 20 and 22 personal points in a 3-game stretch.
It is a widely known fact that Jeric is one of the sons of PBA retiree Mr. Alvin Teng (San Miguel). But instead of relying on connections and links that his father has for him to be able to penetrate into the professional league someday, Jeric sees his connection with his father as a positive pressure and not as a safeguard. Coming from a family of men who have exceptional IQs in the prowess of basketball, Jeric is someone whom we can really call gamay ang bola. During his high school years in Xavier School, he was able to bag the MVP award when he led the Tiong Lian Basketball League in tournaments. He is also a recipient of a very prominent award from Xavier School when he graduated which is the Rafael Cortina Athletics Award.
Unlike many basketball players around, Jeric does not confine himself inside the walls of the court alone. Jeric describes himself as someone who gets fun trying new and exciting things. As a matter of fact, he joined the roster of models for Dickies in the recently concluded Philippine Fashion Week 2009. Aside from this, he also loves hanging out with friends, playing table tennis, badminton and swimming.
There is certainly no doubt that The Tengminator will be the next big thing in the basketball arena someday–aided by the fact that he already has the strong and good foundation, the right motivation, the passion for playing, both feet on the ground and the right guidance and facilities from UST and Coach Pido.
A little Q and A with the man under the light:
Aside from basketball, what takes a fraction of Jeric Teng’s time?
- Hanging out with friends.
- I enjoy swimming, badminton and table tennis.
- Well, I was used to balancing basketball and studies in Xavier so I did not need to do much adjustments. And for the Rookie of the Year award, I just got lucky.
- Yes because I am pressured if I can follow the footsteps of my dad, a professional basketball player. With my brother, I often get compared to him. A lot say he is much better than I am. I just continue to practice and stuff, I am happy for my brother though.
- Yes, if possible.
- Well, I feel like I am honoured or something to be compared with Chris Tiu. But I still think that I have a lot more to improve and do to be like him.
- Both, I guess.
- It’s really hard to tell. I think I am close with everyone. I see to it kasi na I communicate with all of them. We all have the same likes naman so we all get to be close and stuff
- I think the game against UP in the first round.
- I think that was my best performance
What is the best thing about playing for UST?
- Siguro the Thomasians are very supportive when watching and cheering for us. It really gives us a nice feeling when we see them watch and cheer for us. It makes us WANT to play
- Well, people expect a lot from me and I am not sure if I met their expectations of me; and siguro getting negative comments when we lose or when I don’t play well.
According to our research, you have been playing in the hardwood since high school. Many people stop playing once they step into college because they’ve already lost the drive. How do you keep the passion alive?
- Well I don’t actually do something to keep my passion for basketball alive. Since childhood, I knew already that I want to be a basketball player—a pro someday. I just love the game.
- It was fun but kakanervous at the same time. Kasi we did not make it to the rehearsals so we did not know what to do. We just walked and then that was it (laughs). But it was a fun experience.
- (laughs) Well I am open to any naman eh. I get happy when I get to do new stuff. Well modelling siguro pang past time lang or something (laughs).
- Yeah but basketball first.
- (LAUGHS) That’s not true. I don’t have a well-toned body. But I am happy siguro with my arms. My siblings say it’s nice so yun. (laughs)
- (LAUGHS) That is interesting. Well for me, I like girls who are really sweet and maalaga. That’s really my type.
- Well just the normal. Sa gitna. (laughs)
- Well, I will work hard now that it’s off season. I will play better, hopefully. I have to since Ababou, Mirza and Maliksi cannot play na.
- Well, just keep on practicing and getting better ans SKY is the limit. Don’t get contented with how they play. There are always room for improvements. Hardworkers can sometime beat talented players like in my Dad’s case.
- Yeah, I want to be as successful as him.
- Thanks for the support. I hope they don’t get tired of cheering for us. We will always try to give glory to UST.
Credits:
Philippine Fashion Week photos of Jeric Teng from Almira Teng and Queennie Chua
