MANILA, Philippines – Jeron Teng is confident that his teammates in the AMA Online Education Titans can carry the load for the team while he competes with Mighty Sports in the Dubai International Basketball Championship starting on Friday.

Teng will miss AMA's game against Blustar Detergent (0-3) on Tuesday, February 21, but he is confident that his teammates can take care of business.

"I'm really confident in my team, even without me," he said. "We have other good guys like sila Juami (Tiongson), and other veterans."

"For sure, they'll be able to lead this team and pull off the win," he added.

Tiongson, a former Ateneo de Manila University point guard, showed his readiness to take over during AMA's game against Victoria Sports-MLQU last Monday, when he scored 14 of his 22 points in the fourth quarter to help his team fend off an upset.

Teng was three assists shy of a triple-double in that game, finishing with 18 points, 10 boards, and seven assists. The victory allowed AMA to improve to 4-2 in the Aspirants' Cup.

• READ: Racal reserves come up big for fifth win in a row

Like Teng, AMA coach Mark Herrera is confident that his other players will step up to the plate in the former De La Salle University star's absence.

"Siyempre, 'yung team naman natin ay hindi naman umaasa totally kay Jeron," he said. "Mayroon naman na mags-step up diyan. Andyan naman sila Ryan Arambulo, sila (Gino) Jumao-as, at sila PJ Barua."

He also has high expectations of Tiongson, who is one of the most experienced players in the AMA roster.

"Sabi ko sa kanya (Tiongson), take charge ka na diyan, kasi ikaw na ang pinaka-beterano diyan. Wala na rin naman tayong ibang aasahan diyan kung 'di ikaw. Pinakita niya na kaya n'ya mag-take over ng game," Herrera said of Tiongson.

Teng is set to fly to Dubai on Wednesday afternoon. He will team up with Kiefer Ravena, former Ginebra import Justin Brownlee, and former NBA player Hasheem Thabeet, among others, in the Mighty Sports team.

(For more sports coverage, visit the ABS-CBN Sports website.)