MANILA, Philippines -- Teytey Teodoro quickly showed why he earned a contract with Barangay Ginebra in just his first appearance for the Gin Kings in the 2019 PBA Philippine Cup.

Sent into their game against TNT KaTropa with 2:34 left in the opening quarter, the rookie Teodoro displayed the shiftiness and scoring ability that he had shown throughout his collegiate career in Jose Rizal University (JRU). The former Heavy Bomber knocked down a jump shot, then drove for a lay-up as the Gin Kings took an early 26-12 lead.

He wound up playing just seven minutes and 29 seconds, and scored four points. But he got a good reaction from the crowd at the Philippine Arena, and was praised by Ginebra head coach Tim Cone afterward.

"I love Tey, I think he's great, greatly skilled. I think he has a presence about him that he plays with, he doesn't get rattled. Nothing overcomes him, and you see that right away," Cone said after the Gin Kings completed a 90-79 win over the KaTropa.

Cone even compared Teodoro to one of the greatest PBA players of all time, Johnny Abarrientos, in the sense that both guards played with remarkable calm.

"Nothing rattles him. He's prepared for anything, and you can throw anything at him, and he'll be ready," he said of Teodoro. "We saw that right away when he came to practice, we saw it in the practice game, and I think we saw it in the first half tonight."

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Teodoro would have played more minutes in the second half, said Cone, but their veteran line-up of Scottie Thompson, LA Tenorio, and Sol Mercado were all playing quite well. But it would not be surprising if Teodoro sees more minutes in the future.

"I'm not afraid to play that kid," Cone stressed.

"He can play (in the) big moments. He just needs to learn a little bit more about our defense and our techniques. But he's an accomplished offensive player. He just gets it. He gets it," he added.

Teodoro downplayed the Abarrientos comparison -- "Sobrang taas na player 'yun," he said -- but the rookie guard vowed to stay ready whenever he is called upon by Cone.

"Basta off the bench, ready lang ako palagi," said Teodoro, who was admittedly surprised to have been sent into the game so early.

But he was given confidence by his teammates and coaches, who encouraged him to just play his game.

"Pag may free, take the shot," he added. "Thankful lang ako, kasi na-shoot ko 'yung first shot ko."

Cone had been following Teodoro's career since his time with JRU, and had hoped to select the burly guard in the Rookie Draft. However, Teodoro was selected by Columbian Dyip with the first pick of the third round.

He did not sign a contract with them, however, and he tried out for Barangay Ginebra where he immediately impressed the coaches and his teammates. Teodoro later inked a one-conference contract with the Gin Kings.

Cone was clearly glad to have acquired the JRU product, but also stressed that Teodoro still has a ways to go.

"We'll see. He's got a lot to do, he's got a lot to prove still. First game, and first week of practice, actually," the coach said. "But we like him. We like his presence on the floor."

For Teodoro, he simply wants to prove himself worthy of the trust that has been given to him.

"Medyo may pressure, kasi nage-expect siya sa akin ng magandang laro," Teodoro said. "Basta, quality minutes lang ako."

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