Naveen Ganglani
OUT OF ACTION. Jeron Teng (in green) decides to remedy a nagging injury. File photo by Josh Albelda/RAPPLER
MANILA, Philippines – DLSU Green Archers veteran Jeron Teng has decided to remedy a recurring ankle injury that will make him miss his team’s upcoming game against rival Ateneo and at least a week of action, a UAAP source told Rappler on Saturday, October 1.
La Salle’s game against Ateneo – the first time both teams meet in UAAP Season 79 – takes place on Sunday, October 2, at the Mall of Asia Arena.
According to the source, Teng was suffering from a painful right ankle sprain which he sustained during La Salle’s Filoil preseason win against the FEU Tamaraws last June. The fifth-year forward has been playing through the pain since, compensating with his right leg that has also presented issues.
The source said Teng also has a “Jumper’s Knee” problem, although it’s not as severe as his ankle injury. The former UAAP Finals MVP underwent an MRI, which revealed a tiny bone spur. Following an ultrasound, it was discovered the spur had been causing friction in the joints.
After disintegrating the spur through a minor operation, Teng went through a Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) procedure on Friday at the University of Sto Tomas to deal with the nagging ankle.
The procedure was handled by Dr Isagani Leal, who according to a UAAP source, is one of the leading exponents of the PRP procedure in the Philippines. Leal has worked in the past with PBA star Jayson Castro, and also remedied Jeron’s brother, Jeric Teng, who dealt with a shoulder issue in his last year with the UST Growling Tigers.
The procedure will make Teng rest for at least a week, putting the game against the Blue Eagles certainly out of the question. Depending on the schedule release, Teng is also most likely to miss La Salle’s first contest in the second-round of the UAAP men’s basketball tournament next weekend.
Teng could miss more games if he needs more time to rest the injury or for strengthening. The UAAP MVP candidate has so far averaged 16.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.8 assists a game this season.
The Green Archers are unbeaten in Season 79 through 6 games.
Late Friday night, Teng posted on Twitter: “Minor setback for a major comeback.”
Minor setback for a major comeback
— Jeron Teng (@jeronteng) September 30, 2016
Appeal
Teng is not the only major component of La Salle expected to miss the contest against Ateneo (4-2). Following his flagrant unsportsmanlike disqualifying foul which led to an ejection in DLSU’s last game against UE, Green Archers head coach Aldin Ayo is suspended for the game against the Blue Eagles.
A UAAP source told Rappler that La Salle sent a letter of appeal to UAAP Commissioner Rebo Saguisag on Friday for the reversal of the suspension. The source added that DLSU may also have sent a letter of apology from Coach Ayo for his actions.
Late in the second quarter of the game against UE, Ayo grabbed the eye-glasses of assistant coach Siot Tanquincen and tried putting it on one of the game’s referees, leading to the ejection. After the match, Ayo respectfully declined to comment on the issue when approached by the media.
As of posting time, Saguisag has not responded to Rappler for comment. – Rappler.com
