The UAAP has released yesterday the official roster of all 8 men’s basketball teams for this coming season that will start Saturday.
Despite being allowed a maximum of 16 players in the line-up, La Salle chose to field in 13 instead.
Robert Lee Bolick, Jr. – Rookie
Luis Alfonso dela Paz
Kirell Brahndon Montalbo – Rookie
Jason Andre Perkins – Rookie
Luis Alfonso Revilla
Gabriel Reyes
Matthew David Salem – Rookie
Jarelan Tampus
Jeron Alvin Teng
Thomas Christopher Torres
Norberto Brian Torres – Team Captain
Arnold Raymund van Opstal
Almond Vosotros
Head coach is Juno Sauler. Assistant coaches are Jun Limpot and Allan Caidic.
Gone from last year’s team:
Joshua Webb – Graduation
Jovet Mendoza – Graduation
Yutien Andrada – ACL Injury, to sit-out this year. Still has one year of eligibility left.
Papot Paredes – Left the team to focus of his studies.
Mac Tallo – Transferred to SWU in Cebu
Ponso Gotladera – Transferred to Katipunan Ave.
Jed Manguerra – Team B
Bob Guerrero of Yahoo Sports recently sat down with Coach Juno for a Q&A.
Here’s an excerpt of the interview:
What are your major philosophies as a coach?
I’m very strict with discipline. Whatever we do, everything has to be discipline, both as a team and as an individual.
But I notice you like to keep things light. After your last huddle nagtatawanan kayo. What did you tell the players?
I want to keep things light because practice is very heavy and draining, so if ever we can get them smiling a bit it’s good. Whatever is needed so they can get the tension off.
In what ways do you feel the pressure to bring a championship to La Salle for the first time since 2007?
There’s always pressure, whether you’re the coach or an assistant. Even if you’re a spectator, you feel the pressure. I don’t dwell on prioritizing a championship. I know a lot of people want that. But I try to focus on the daily things, the daily aspects, just trying to make everyone better. If we do that then hopefully the result that everyone wants will happen. But I’ve been stressing to the players that the daily habits are important. That’s why being disciplined in practice is so important. Then everything else will follow.
Is there anyone on your team that you’d like to grapple with?
All of them. Especially when they turn the ball over.
The De La Salle Lady Spikers will reportedly join the upcoming Philippine Superliga Volleyball tournament to start July 7. They will compete as a guest team.
Once cleared by the UAAP, this will be the first time the team will participate in a commercial tournament since 2008.