MANILA, Philippines - Jose Rizal U coach Vergel Meneses kept reminding Tey Teodoro that he is the team’s best player.
Teodoro proved his coach right when he rallied the Bombers from 18 points down with less than four minutes left and into a 90-77 victory over the Mapua Cardinals in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament last week.
Teodoro, 21, exploded with an 18-point binge in that stretch and ended up posting a career-high 32 points.
It also gained Teodoro, one of the league’s Smart Elite ambassadors, the Accel Quantum/3XVI-NCAA Press Corps Player of the Week plum.
Teodoro, however, was quick to downplay his latest feat, saying their stirring come-from-behind victory was a team effort.
“I wouldn’t have achieved anything without faith and help from coach (Vergel Meneses) and my teammates,” said Teodoro in Filipino.
He bested San Beda’s Nigerian Ola Adeogun and Letran’s explosive guard Rey Nambatac for the week’s top honors.
“I kept telling him he’s the best player in this team and I’m happy he’s responding,” said Meneses of his prized cager.