Preparation, mental toughness will make difference–Sauler

LA SALLE coach Juno Sauler did so much in so little time that many forget he got thrust into the head coaching job less than three weeks before the UAAP men’s basketball season.

So Sauler hopes his team would be as efficient in the last few days before La Salle and University of Santo Tomas fight for one last time in the do-or-die Game 3 championship this Saturday at Mall of Asia Arena.

“For me, the most important part is how we approach the coming days,” said Sauler. “I don’t know if there’s momentum on our side. What we’re just focused on is the game on Saturday. Momentum or no momentum, it will take a lot of preparation and mental toughness. That will make the difference on Saturday.”

The Tigers had hoped for a title sweep and become the first No. 4 team to bag the crown after taking Game 1 in a 73-72 thriller.

But the Archers spoiled the Tigers’ bid with a dominant 77-70 Game 2 triumph last Saturday that tied the best-of-three series at 1-1.

UST coach Pido Jarencio said, though, that the one-week break bode well for his Tigers, who survived elimination thrice to reach the title round.

“Malaking bagay yung break (The break is very important),” Jarencio said during the PSA Forum yesterday at the Philippine Sports Commission athletes’ lounge.

“We’ve been playing knockout games, then in Game 1 of the championship, it was a hard-earned win. We were very tired.”

Jarencio said the Tigers’ main concern will be how to stop the Archers’ big men.

“They scored so many inside points and second-chance points, we were also out-rebounded,” said Jarencio.

In the title opener, the Archers overpowered the Tigers at the paint, 44-14, then did it again in Game 2, 42-26.

So Sauler intends to keep making the most out of his team’s advantage.

“I just hope they (big men) keep making good judgment on the floor,” said Sauler.