From college teammates to foes in the pros, Jeron Teng and Almond Vosotros are both just proud of each other
Both part of the 2013 championship team of the green-and-white squad in the UAAP, it was Vosotros who first turned pro in 2015 while Teng followed suit two years after.
But while Teng has had a relatively stable career, playing for Alaska and Converge before eventually landing in San Miguel in 2023, Vosotoros brought his talents to different clubs and different leagues before he found his nice in the 3x3 competitions, particularly with TNT.
And when TNT needed some backcourt help for its PBA squad, they turned to the 3x3 specialist Vosotros and he's made the most of the opportunity.
Despite their different journeys, the two former teammates found themselves sharing the court once again in the PBA Philippine Cup finals of the league's 48th season, this time as opponents vying for the championship.
In the end, it was Teng who emerged victorious for the second title of his career.
"I'm super happy because this time it's the All-Filipino. Last time, my first championship was with an import so it's more meaningful na All-Filipino," Teng told GMA News Online.
During the finals, he had his moments in helping San Miguel get past TNT and even scored 10 points in Game 2 of the series.
"My goal is [that] each conference, I try to improve and I try to help the team more and more so I'm staying patient and at the same time I'm also learning and improving," he added.
Vosotros, meanwhile, has been a valuable spark off the bench for TNT.
He had actually parted ways with the squad back in April but the Tropang 5G called him up for another tour of duty. And he just proved they made the right decision.
In the finals, Vosotros had averages of 10.25 points per game.
"Sobrang thankful ako kay Coach Chot [Reyes] kasi honestly since na-draft ako ng 2015, ngayon lang ako nabigyan ng consistent minutes, tapos sa finals pa," Vosotros told reporters.
[I'm so thankful to Coach Chot because honestly since I was drafted in 2015, this was the first time I received consistent minute, and it's in the finals no less.]
His old teammate had nothing but good words for Vosotros.
"I'm just so proud of Almond, he played well the whole series," Teng said.
"He was my teammate in college and 'di ako nagugulat sa anong kaya niya dahil he has shown that to me since we were in college. He's a hooper."
[He was my teammate in college and I'm not surprised by what he can do because he has shown that to me since we were in college. He's a hooper.]
Vosotros, meanwhile, was also proud of his fellow Green Archer.
"Lumapit siya sa'kin kasi sabi niya 'Congrats bro ang galing mo.' Sabi ko 'No, congrats sa'yo kasi kayo nanalo ang champion. I'm so proud of you.'"
[He came to me and he said 'Congrats bro, you played so well.' I said 'No, congrats to you because you won, you are the champion. I'm so proud of you.']
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
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