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GMA Network
5 days ago
- Sport
- GMA Network
From college teammates to foes in the pros, Jeron Teng and Almond Vosotros are both just proud of each other
From shared beginnings at De La Salle University, Jeron Teng and Almond Vosotros have carved their own respective paths as professionals in the sport of basketball. 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
GMA Network
16-07-2025
- Sport
- GMA Network
Kevin Quiambao talks about his NBA dream and recent US training
For Kevin Quiambao, the journey to fulfilling his NBA dream is not yet over, especially after undergoing training sessions and a private workout in the United States in the last few days. In an exclusive interview with 24 Oras' 'Game Changer' host and sportscaster Martin Javier, Quiambao said he has been in the United States since July 2 and had training sessions in Sacramento, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Las Vegas. "It's been a long journey for us -- a tiring journey," the reigning UAAP back-to-back Most Valuable Player said. "Ayun nga, para sa pangarap ko is gagawin ko ang best ko, whatever it takes." Quiambao added he will still have sessions with some local trainers but said he is not expecting a spot anymore in the NBA Summer League teams. "I'm trying to be a sponge lang in the next few days kasi ilang days na lang ako rito. Kung ano pa kaya ko ma-learn is i-soak in ko na lang sa sarili ko and dalhin ko sa Pilipinas and Korea mga natutunan ko rito," he added. While in the US, Quiambao confirmed that he had a private workout with NBA players. "It's a privilege for me na makapaglaro with NBA players, with Vic Oladipo, and some two-way players ng NBA. "It's been a pleasure for me. It's a once-in-a-lifetime experience and hopefully this is not the last." "Kailangan ko mag-work hard for me and put my trust in myself lang palagi na kaya kong maabot 'yung NBA mentally and personally na kaya ko gawin lahat," he added. The grind then continues for KQ. "Tuloy-tuloy lang, for the love of the game. Para sa country natin, I'm trying to aim na maging first Filipino na full-blooded na makapasok sa NBA. Nothing is impossible naman." For now, Quiambao said he will join Gilas Pilipinas for the upcoming FIBA Asia Cup. "Darating naman ako doon the day before the training camp will start. Gagawin ko lahat for the country," he said. —JKC, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
13-07-2025
- Sport
- GMA Network
UP, NU set up FilOil Preseason Cup Finals duel
University of the Philippines' three-peat bid will go through a tough challenger in National University as the two schools arranged a finals showdown in the 18th FilOil EcoOil Preseason Cup on Sunday. The Fighting Maroons overcame an early deficit to oust De La Salle University in their semifinals duel, 83-78, behind the troika of Rey Remogat, Gerry Abadiano, and Gani Stevens. Trailing by as much as 15 points and staring at a 45-31 halftime deficit, UP slowly got its act together to close out the third period all tied up with the Green Archers at 56-all. It was still La Salle's game in the fourth, but Remogat buried back-to-back booming triples that gave UP a 78-73 cushion in the final 23 seconds. Abadiano scored three straight points for a more comfortable 81-75 lead for the defending UAAP champions before La Salle made another desperate comeback attempt on a clutch corner triple from Kean Baclaan. But time just ran out for the Taft crew as Abadiano sealed the victory with a pair of free throws to send UP to another finals stint. Meanwhile, NU had the same story in its semifinals showdown against University of Santo Tomas, erasing a 14-point deficit to claim a 96-84 victory and advance to the championship round. Jake Figueroa once again starred for the Bulldogs, roaring with a team-high 24 points on 4-of-6 three-point shooting while also grabbing five rebounds, five assists, and five steals. The Bulldogs didn't lack help from the supporting crew with Lenard Santiago chipping in 13 markers and three blocks. UP now looks to complete a rare three-peat feat in the preseason showcase against an NU team that won the championship in 2022 before the Fighting Maroons went on capturing the next two. —JMB, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
11-07-2025
- Sport
- GMA Network
UST, La Salle boot out EAC, Arellano to complete FilOil Preseason semis cast
University of Santo Tomas and De La Salle University pulled away late to stun Emilio Aguinaldo and Arellano University, respectively, in the 18th FilOil EcoOil Preseason Cup quarterfinals on Friday. The second-seeded Growling Tigers pulled off an 82-73 win against the Generals to make the FilOil Final Four for the first time since 2013 while the Green Archers dominated the Chiefs with a 95-77 victory as they completed an all-UAAP semifinals cast. UST will take on National University in their bid to win a breakthrough FilOil title while DLSU will have an early playoff rematch with its tormentor in last year's UAAP finals, University of the Philippines. Gelo Crisostomo shone for UST with a huge double-double of 17 points and 13 rebounds while Kyle Paranada and Koji Buenaflor each chipped in 12 markers. For DLSU, Mason Amos had a near-perfect 5-of-6 shooting from the field to finish with 15 points while JC Macalalag and Kean Baclaan each chipped in 12 markers as they halted the Chiefs' five-game winning streak. —JMB, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
11-07-2025
- Sport
- GMA Network
UP survives Benilde scare to advance to FilOil Preseason semifinals
Reigning UAAP champion University of the Philippines narrowly escaped De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, 82-80, in the 2025 FilOil EcoOil Preseason Cup quarterfinals on Friday. The Fighting Maroons survived a wild 7-0 closing run from the Blazers led by the tandem of Tony Ynot and Allen Liwag to advance to the semifinals. Gerry Abadiano led the way for UP with 24 points, five rebounds, two assists, and one steal while big man Gani Stevens and veteran Harold Alarcon chipped in 12 and 11 markers each to help UP keep its three-peat bid alive. Abadiano was shining all throughout the game, sending the Fighting Maroons to an 82-73 lead after a jumper late in the fourth quarter. But the Blazers, who ended up as second seed in the NCAA bracket, staged a fightback that threatened the title defense of UP. Ynot instigated the rally with a huge three-pointer before Liwag sank a pair of free throws to cut the deficit to four, 82-78, with 1:13 left in the game. The two connived in the succeeding play with Liwag securing the board after a missed basket from Abadiano and Ynot dishing the pass to him that would further trim the gap to just two at 82-80. Benilde had two chances to either tie the game or win it, but transferee Raffy Celis missed a layup and muffed an open three-pointer as the Fighting Maroons cruised to the two-point victory that would set them up with a semifinals clash against either La Salle or Arellano University. —JMB, GMA Integrated News
