Fit-again Teng banners Ayo’s fighting crew

MANILA, Philippines — New Converge coach Aldin Ayo will have at his disposal a fit-again Jeron Teng, his former La Salle ward, when he makes his debut in the coming PBA Commissioner’s Cup.

Teng missed the last seven games of the FiberXers in the Philippine Cup due to a bruised hip but said he’s all set for action again in time for Ayo’s first game at the helm.

“Yes, ready to play na,” said the fifth-year player, who saw action in only four matches in Converge’s maiden conference under Jeff Cariaso and averaged 14.5 points, 7.25 rebounds and two steals.

Teng is hoping to recreate the success of their 2016 UAAP championship run in his reunion with Ayo in the pros.

“Super excited. The last time I played for coach Aldin was 2016 with La Salle and we won a championship. I know coach Aldin is a winner,” he said.

The FiberXers, along with team governor Chito Salud and import Quincy Miller, faced the press yesterday ahead of their campaign in the mid-season tournament.

The young franchise is excited to unravel its “fighting crew” under Ayo, who is expected to bring his trademark team-oriented, defensive-minded philosophy to the squad, some of whom won a college title with him.

Aside from Teng, Ayo is reuniting with former Letran stalwart Kevin Racal and two of Teng’s La Salle teammates Abu Tratter and Aljun Melecio, who’s recently acquired from a trade with Phoenix.

Miller takes the mantle as import, bringing in experience from stints in the NBA and other tough leagues overseas.

Ayo admitted the need for one more frontliner but assessed that his current group, which also includes Maverick Ahanmisi, Mike DiGregorio, RK Ilagan, Justin Arana, and Jeo Ambohot, is good to go.

“Laban na itong materyales na ito.These players are young, athletic and high character and they’re very responsive sa mga ginagawa namin,” Ayo said.

“We always want to push ourselves to the limit. We’re going to do our best and hopefully, our best will be enough for us to win a lot of games and let’s see kung saan aabot,” he added.

Converge brought in Ayo last month after tackling its first tournament with Cariaso carrying over his role from the old Alaska franchise and steering the new squad to the quarterfinals.

“Coach Aldin is always hungry, pushing boundaries, testing limits and that’s what we are developing at Converge,” said Salud. “We wanted somebody at this time who can hone these guys and push them to be competitive day in and day out.”