UP Fighting Maroons tap Bo Perasol as head coach

The UP Fighting Maroons pose for a photo with their new coach Bo Perasol. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Bo Perasol is making his return in the UAAP, albeit with a different team.

Perasol was named new head coach of the University of the Philippines’ men’s basketball team on Monday, six months after stepping down as Ateneo coach following the Blue Eagles’ Final Four exit last November in the UAAP Season 78.

READ: Perasol next UP coach? Everything is just exploratory

UP team manager Dan Palami confirmed the development to INQUIRER.net in a text message.

“We expect the higher level of training,” said UP assistant team manager Mel Macasaquit on Perasol’s hiring.

“He is hungry. He wants to win. It’s his passion and love for his alma mater that drives him to be here,” Macasaquit added. “He was singing the UP Naming Mahal last season. Now he’s back to where he belongs.”

Perasol takes over a team which hasn’t made the Final Four since 1997. He assumed the position vacated by Rensy Bajar, who only lasted for one season.

READ: Perasol: Coaching Ateneo ‘was really a joy’

The Maroons had a promising start with Bajar at the helm, winning their first two games against University of the East and De La Salle, before losing 11 of their last 12 games.

Perasol’s first test will come on Wednesday when UP, which will be led by mainstays Paul Desiderio and Diego Dario, takes on University of Perpetual Help in the 2016 Filoil Flying V Preseason Premier Cup.

He spent the last three years at the Ateneo sidelines and during his tenure, the Blue Eagles missed the Final Four in his first season, returned to the semifinals the next year but were sent packing despite owning the top seed before getting eliminated in the semis anew last November.