Petron request prompts La Salle coaching change

MANILA, Philippines—A request from Petron prompted the sudden change in La Salle’s head coaching position, a statement from the university said on Saturday.

Juno Sauler has been named the new head mentor of the Green Archers, replacing Gee Abanilla exactly three weeks before the opening of the UAAP season 76.

“Sauler replaced Abanilla, after Petron management talked to DLSU officials and requested Abanilla to return to Petron Blaze as they undergo their own team re-organization,” the statement read.

Abanilla has been serving as an assistant for the Boosters in the PBA prior to his stint with La Salle, which only lasted a year and resulted in a final four trip.

But there’s no word yet from the side of Petron Blaze of any official changes on its head mentor post, which is occupied by Olsen Racela.