'Relaxed' start doomed Green Archers against UP, says La Salle coach

La Salle star forward Jeron Teng struggled from the field. KC Cruz

 

De La Salle University suffered its first loss of the season after a shock defeat against the University of the Philippines, 71-66, in the first round of the UAAP Season 78 men's basketball tournament on Wednesday.

 

The Green Archers came out flat against the Maroons and found themselves down by 13, 41-28, at the half. The Taft-based squad made a late run in the fourth with their full court press, but UP held on to their lead with timely free throws.

 

After the game, La Salle coach Juno Sauler admitted to reporters that his players relaxed too much against the perennial cellar-dwellers.

 

"I think we just came out very relaxed, we could've started the game better," he said. "UP came out like they really wanted it more than our players did."

 

Sauler said they allowed UP to gain confidence as his team failed to adjust coming off a win against defending champions National University.

 

"Maybe the two-day prep after playing Sunday, facing a tough team like NU, and then just two days to prepare for UP, and their style is totally different," the coach said when asked what happened to La Salle.

 

Jeron Teng, DLSU's star forward, went 4-of-12 from the field and 2-of-6 from the stripe in a lackluster performance, which saw him foul out after 27 minutes of play.

 

He declined to talk to the media after the game. —JST, GMA News