Gee whiz, DLSU?

c/o PEx

I am spending the weekend in Cebu. The only news I was expecting in the collegiate realm is the Master Game Face All-Star Game, which took place earlier today (Team Borgie wins, 89-88, over Team Chris, by the way).

And then this just happened, just as I was having lunch.

IT WAS OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCED TODAY BY DLSU PRESIDENT BR. RICKY LAGUDA THAT COACH JUNO SAULER HAS BEEN APPOINTED TO REPLACE COACH GEE ABANILLA AS HEAD COACH OF THE DLSU GREEN ARCHERS IN THE UPCOMING UAAP SEASON 76.

Coach Juno is a long time apprentice of both Coach Jong Uichico and Ron Jacobs. Coach Gee will return to the Petron Coaching Staff which itself is undergoing some "re-evaluation."

In behalf of the whole APcom community, we would like to thank Coach Gee Abanilla for his loyal service to DLSU and assure him of our continued support for all his endeavors.

To Coach Juno, good luck and "JUST WIN!!!"

That was the actual tweet from Archer Pride. Today is June 8. UAAP opens on June 29, with them in the main game at 4pm against UST.

Juno Sauler is Gee's lead assistant with DLSU. For many, he is a veteran assistant coach, specifically with Barangay Ginebra. A little-known fact is that he previously handled the DLSU Lady Archers. He also handled La Salle-Zobel, so he definitely has some coaching chops

It's a drastic and risky move. Some would say, it was a panic button decision. La Salle ended the Filoil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup campaign losing three of their last four games, including their matches against their arch-rivals (and UAAP champions) Ateneo and their match against (NCAA champions) San Beda. That is definitely not a good look, even if it is preseason.

When La Salle went into the Filoil, always thought the key will be how to balance out that ridiculous depth of theirs. That is a challenge that is aimed towards the coaching staff. Things may possibly be in turmoil with the coaching change, but Juno will be familiar with the lineup and its quirks. Is he up to the challenge and the pressure that comes with it? We will know soon enough.