DE La Salle coach Juno Sauler remained defiant after the loss to Ateneo on Sunday night, taking comfort from the fact that the Green Archers' hopes of making the UAAP Final Four is still in their hands.
The 62-73 loss to Ateneo was the third in a row for the Green Archers, who slipped to fifth place with a 5-7 (win-loss) record - a half game behind National University (6-7) in the race for the fourth and final berth in the playoffs.
“It’s not the losing streak but looking forward to the last two games of the eliminations,” Sauler said when asked what was on his mind after the defeat. “We just have to take care of business in the last two games."
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Still, Sauler admitted the Green Archers will have to play better if they want to win against University of the Philippines on Wednesday and Far Eastern University on November 18.
“We need to shoot better and defend better,” said Sauler.
The Green Archers failed to protect a 10-point first-half lead against Ateneo and Sauler was quick to acknowledge the contribution of Blue Eagles super subs Adrian Wong and Aaron Black.
“They played with a lot of energy. (Aaron) Black and (Adrian) Wong stepped up in the second half. They took it a notch higher,” said Sauler.
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