After bagging UAAP crown, Sauler looks forward to ‘doing better’ next season

MANILA, Philippines — Even as La Salle was celebrating its return to the top of the UAAP men’s basketball tournament, Coach Juno Sauler could only think of how his team can do better.

“It’s not about winning the ball game. What’s more important is how we improve on a daily basis. Make sure everyday in practice we keep on better and better,” said Sauler who was drenched by his jubilant players.

“I’m just looking forward to what we can improve on next season and not make the same mistakes,” said the La Salle coach who bagged his first title on his rookie year.

The Archers went from a subpar 3-4 squad in the first round of eliminations to an indomitable team the rest of the way — losing just one game in the second round.

“I’ts been a season of constant improvement. Even for next year, that’s what we’ll try to focus on. We’ll try to improve and be better than what we showed this year,” Sauler said.

It was no doubt an impressive run to the crown spearheaded by the stoic Sauler, who came in as head coach just weeks before tipoff.

“It’s the players following the system and being consistent about it. We don’t change anything. What was important was we know what we’re doing,” he said.

And La Salle knew exactly how to subdue the Tigers, finalists and runner-up for the second straight year. They lost to the Ateneo Blue Eagles in 2012.

The Archers wiped out a 15-point deficit in the fourth quarter and outlasted  UST in overtime.

“Everyone just wanted to fight it out. I know the team was down, some players had cramps. They just wanted to fight it until the very end,” Sauler said.
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