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University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons (MB photo | Kevin Espiritu)
by Waylon Galvez
Of all the accomplishments veteran mentor Bo Perasol has had in his coaching career, guiding University of the Philippines (UP) back to the UAAP Final Four after 21 long years must rank among the highest.
“It’s become a personal burden for me to deliver for the UP community,” said Perasol yesterday when contacted by The Manila Bulletin. “It was so overwhelming for me, after all this years.”
Perasol was in tears when UP claimed an outright semifinal berth following a runaway 97-81 victory over De La Salle last Wednesday in the 81st UAAP men’s basketball at the Mall of Asia Arena.
UP’s victory gave the school an 8-6 record at the end of its elimination round campaign, tied with De la Salle. But due to a higher quotient, the Maroons clinched the No. 3 spot after Ateneo and Adamson, leaving La Salle and Far Eastern to dispute the fourth and last semifinal berth.
Perasol took over UP’s coaching post in May 2 two years ago after spending the previous three seasons with Ateneo. Perasol initially coached Air21 and Cola-Cola/PowerAde – both PBA teams now defunct – from 2005 to 2012, as well as the UPIS basketball team in 2003.
In Perasol’s first season, UP missed the playoffs, finishing tied for fifth with National University. The team improved its record the following year but still missed the Final Four, barely missing a playoff for the last slot.
There was no denying UP this time.
“It’s a good thing the community sees progress with the program, meaning good results. The support and excitement (from students and alumni) comes from the fact the there is progress with what we are doing,” said Perasol.
Tags: Bo Perasol, Philippines, UAAP, UAAP Final Four, University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons
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