Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Five months into his new job, University of the Philippines head coach Bo Perasol hopes that the Fighting Maroons will be able to exceed their three-win total last season.
“Kung ano man yung meron kami, I’m positive that with the remaining weeks to go, mas mama-maximize pa namin yun. I’m hoping na malampasan namin yung three wins this coming season,” said Perasol, who replaced Rensy Bajar at the helm.
Perasol will be parading an intact lineup, with only JR Gallarza and Cheick Kone the only omissions from last year’s roster.
Without any significant changes , Perasol is hoping that lessons from last season will be better handled by the Fighting Maroons.
“They’re one year more experienced. We have worked kung ano ang meron kami and we’re trying to address kung ano yung gusto namin,” he said.
But what could be the biggest challenge for Perasol is to try and change UP’s mentality after years of staying in the cellar.
“Gusto ko lang malampasan namin yung pagiisip na talunan tayo. Gusto kong lumaban lang kami doon,” he said. “Alam na nila supposedly what it takes to win. Yung hurdle lang na yun, it’s more difficult to overcome kasi nagiging habit. Alam nilang kaya nilang manalo pero they don’t believe it. Yun ang sinusubukan kong palitan sa psyche nila.”
“Yung pressure sa akin is I really want to make an improvement and I want them to make them feel that they can do it. I know they can. It’s just a matter of finding a way how to do it together,” he said. “Whatever happens is going to happen.”/rga