Juno Sauler has reportedly resigned as Green Archers head coach. Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
FIerce rivals Ateneo and La Salle look to rebuild under new coaches after a heartbreaking end to their campaigns in the UAAP men’s basketball tournament.
La Salle coach Juno Sauler reportedly resigned over the weekend, while Ateneo mentor Bo Perasol bowed out after coming under fire last month where he announced he would step down at the end of the season.
Edwin Reyes, La Salle’s representative to the UAAP Board, said Monday the school has yet to receive official word from Sauler.
But several sources confirmed that Sauler already tendered his resignation to team patron Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco, before school and team officials formally meet this week.
Sauler had a celebrated debut when he steered the Green Archers to the 2013 championship, but drew flak this year when the team failed to advance to the Final Four for just the fourth time in 22 seasons.
Perasol had a more cordial parting with the Blue Eagles, who got booted out by Far Eastern University, 76-74, in the Final Four on a last-gasp basket by Mac Belo last Saturday.
“I think the program will be fine,” said Perasol. “If there’s one thing I made sure the next coach will have is that he’ll have players. We were able to recruit marquee players.”
Perasol—who steered the Eagles to the semifinals in the last two of his three-year stint—had big shoes to fill when he came in late 2012 after Norman Black piloted the Eagles to five straight championships.