The Final Score: Jeric and Jeron Teng watched a historic NBA game

Jeric and Jeron Teng were on the second floor looking for section 205 inside the Mall of Asia Arena. Jeric of the UST Growling Tigers and his young brother Jeron of the La Salle Green Archers were about to watch the first-ever NBA preseason game in the Philippines.

“Actually, ako talaga nag-push sa kanya maglaro ng basketball kasi wala akong kalaro dati ‘nung bata kami,” Jeric revealed. “So pinipilit ko siya maglaro para may kalaro ako sa labas ng bahay.”

“Yung brother ko talaga pumipilit sa akin mag-tryout for the varsity team,” Jeron confirmed. “Kasi medyo into Playstation lang ako dati.”

Jeric and Jeron will face each other in game three of the UAAP Finals on Saturday. They have become, both by fate and design, the most recognizable faces of the title series. Hence, for the Teng brothers, a simple stroll from the escalator to the entryway of section 205 is not so simple.

A lady holding up her iPhone nudged her teenage daughter towards Jeric and asked, “Jeric pwede pa-picture?”

A few feet away, a man in his early thirties made eye contact with Jeron. The man showed Jeron his digital camera and mustered the courage to ask, “Idol, okay lang?”

What was supposed to be a brisk five to eight-minute walk turned into 15 to 20-minute paparazzi gauntlet. One kind request for a photo opportunity led to another. It became impossible for Jeric and Jeron to walk side-by-side.

Akala mo tuloy sila yung mga NBA players.

Jeric and Jeron finally settled into their seats along row H. Jeric was in seat number 15. Jeron was in seat number 16. They were right across the Rockets bench.

It was strange to see two opposing UAAP players sitting beside each other, whispering their observations to one another. After Indiana’s David West took a shot, Jeric mentioned something to Jeron. After Houston’s Dwight Howard took a free throw, Jeron pointed out something to Jeric.

It was a weird set-up.

The last thing you want to do if you’re preparing to smash each other’s heads in a winner-take-all game three is hang out.

But it’s a Teng thing. Jeric cheers for Jeron during La Salle games. Jeron returns the favor by cheering for Jeric during UST games. Kulang na lang pati alma mater song of both schools i-memorize nila.

So even if Jeric and Jeron were just days away from colliding in game three, it made perfect sense for the Tengs to watch the preseason game between Indiana and Houston together.

Ganun na talaga sila. Bonded both by blood and basketball.

“Dati nung bata pa kami, naglalaro kami lagi ng one-on-one sa court namin sa bahay,” Jeric said.

“Pero sobrang bata ko pa noon so [Jeric] was stronger, taller,” Jeron added.

I asked Jeric, “So since mas matanda ka, hindi mo ba pinagbibigyan si Jeron?”

Jeric answered, “Hindi eh. (Laughs)”

Even during the game, as Roy Hibbert battled Howard for position at the post, as Paul George traded forearm hits and chest bumps with James Harden, fans in section H occasionally checked on Jeric and Jeron. It was good-natured fascination.

I asked them, “Nagsuntukan na ba kayong dalawa because sobra kayong napikon sa mga one-on-one games niyo sa bahay?”

Jeric looked at Jeron and answered, “Wala naman.”

Jeron shook his head and replied, “Wala, wala.”

“Pero nagkakatirahan kami,” Jeric said.

“Oo tsaka yung mga charging foul na malakas,” Jeron added.

“Oo tirahan kami,” Jeric continued. “Yung talagang seryoso na…(Jeric threw an imaginary intentional elbow to Jeron’s face).”

They both laughed.

What makes their story fascinating?

The talented sons of Robocop Alvin Teng are both talented basketball players. They are fierce on the court just as they are charismatic off it. They’re both in the UAAP Finals, playing for opposing teams.

Yet there they were, inside the MOA Arena, seated side-by-side, watching a historic NBA game as if they were at home, glued to the family sofa, with no one else around.

I asked Jeron, “Hindi ka ba napipikon noon kasi lagi ka tinatalo ni Jeric kasi nga he was so much bigger and stronger than you ‘nung bata kayo?”

Jeron answered, “Hindi naman…”

Then in the middle of Jeron’s reply, Jeric, smiling, said, “Pero nung medyo natututo na siya mag-basketball and may times na tinatalo na niya ako, ako na yung napipikon.”

It really is a Teng thing: the integration of family, basketball and competition. It’s near seamless. Parang sanay na sanay na sila. Like basketball, even in the middle of an intensely fought championship duel, always presents an opportunity to bond.

Kaya siguro people are fascinated with Jeric and Jeron. If one asks, “Ano, let’s go and watch the Pacers and the Rockets together before we rip each other’s nostrils wide open in game three?” The other will surely respond, “Oo ba bro.” - AMD, GMA News