JUNO Sauler has been appointed as the new head coach of Gilas Pilipinas Youth.
Sauler takes over the post from LA Tenorio who is staying as an advisor of the youth program.
Sauler is one of Tenorio's assistant coaches at Magnolia in the PBA. He is also a deputy coach at University of Sto. Tomas in the UAAP.
The former collegiate champion coach with La Salle brings his decades-long experience in grassroots basketball in Gilas Youth.
Sauler’s first competition as Gilas Youth Men head coach is the 2026 SEABA Under-18 Championship where the top two placers advancing to the FIBA Under-18 Asia Cup.
The best four nations will clinch berths in the 2027 FIBA Basketball Under-19 World Cup.
The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas made the announcement on Saturday.
“The SBP welcomes coach Juno into the Gilas Pilipinas Youth Men’s team and thank coach LA Tenorio for his stint as head coach,” said SBP President Ricky Vargas. “Coach Juno brings a wealth of experience and deep connections nationwide that will help him put together the best team possible.”
Sauler previously won a UAAP men’s title in 2013 and women’s crown from 1999 to 2001 with De La Salle before stints as assistant coach in the PBA with Barangay Ginebra and Magnolia.
He has been coaching in different levels of basketball for 30 years after his playing career with La Salle during the 1990s.
One of the advocacies of Sauler is the non-use of zone defense in youth competitions in order for younger player to learn the fundamentals of defense.
The SBP said Sauler will be in close coordination with the federaton’s talent identification and grassroots development program head Norman Black.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
