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Poker-faced Sauler finally smiles after Archers complete journey to the top

DLSU coach Juno Sauler lets out a rare smile.

As they basked in the glow of reclaiming lost glory in the UAAP men’s basketball tourney following a one-for-the-ages 71-69 overtime victory in their sudden-death match with University of Santo Tomas last Saturday at the MOA Arena, La Salle ace wingman Jeron Teng urged his usually stoic head coach Juno Sauler to celebrate their big achievement.

“Smile ka naman dyan, Coach. Champion na, eh,” said the 6-foot-2 Teng, prompting Sauler, 40, to finally flash a grin that drew cheers from scribes inside the post-game conference.

It was a light and fitting moment for both Sauler and Teng, who deserve their ample share of plaudits for steering the Green Archers back to the summit of the eight-team field for the first time since 2007 while clinching their eighth overall men’s title, tying archrival and dethroned five-time champion Ateneo in the process.

Their finish, winning 11 of their last 12 outings, was indeed a blazing one but the Green Archers had to endure a rough and challenging start on their way to the top.

In one of the boldest moves in the off-season, the team management raised some eyebrows by appointing Sauler to take over the coaching mantle from Gee Abanilla barely three weeks before the start of their campaign.

Still trying to get themselves accustomed to Sauler’s system, the Green Archers blew hot and cold, posting a 3-4 win-loss record after the first round highlighted by several end-game meltdown and heartbreaking defeats.

The league took a mid-season respite for the 27th FIBA-Asia men’s cage championships in August and La Salle returned to action better, stronger and sharper.

Putting the bitter lessons into good use, the Archers swept the second round to gain a share of the number one spot, seized the twice-to-beat edge in the semifinals against title contender Far Eastern U and repeated over the Tamaraws to book their trip to the finals.

ALSO READ: Tigers lament how UAAP title slipped out of their hands

In an epic finals showdown, La Salle saw their nine-game winning streak come to a jarring half following a stunning 72-73 loss to giant-killing fourth-ranked team in the form of University of Santo Tomas in the opener last Oct. 2.

Three days after, the Archers dodged the bullet with a masterful 77-70 victory in Game 2, setting up one of the most exhilarating sudden-death match in league history.

Pushed to the limit, La Salle recovered its bearings and climbed back from 15 points down in the third period, got a big second half showing from the 6-foot-2 Teng, drew a clutch jumper from gunner Almond Vosotros and mustered enough strength in the waning seconds to fully overcome the equally-determined UST crew.

“Everyone just wanted to fight it out. Even in the last five minutes. The team was down. Some players had cramps but they wanted to fight it out until the very end. They showed great, great fight in them,” said Sauler.

Jeron Teng, buoyed by his all-around performance, was named the Finals MVP but was quick to deflect the credit, stressing they took the title behind a collective team effort.

“Actually, hindi ako ang nag-lead, buong team talaga pati na rin mga coaches. Lahat kami nagtulong tulong. We pulled ourselves up together,” he stated. “Nu’ng una, siyempre may struggles and nag-a-adjust pa kami. But we peak at the right time.”

Sauler also joined the fabled list of coaches who hoist the men’s title on their first attempt and, interestingly, came at the expense of UST counterpart Pido Jarencio, who did the trick in 2006.

“It’s a great learning experience not just for me but for the whole team as well,” he said.

Sauler also disclosed how his charges have grown leaps and bounds since falling short against the Tigers in overtime 58-63 in their season opener last June 29.

“Before the finals, I watched our very first game against UST in the first round. I was laughing at how we played. It’s not how we play now but how we started. Comedy ba?” he shared as he finally flashed that smile.