UP coach Bo Perasol. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Head Coach: Bo Perasol
Last season: 3-11 (7th place)
Key holdovers: Jett Manuel, Paul Desiderio, Diego Dario
Key losses: JR Gallarza, Cheick Kone, coach Rensy Bajar
Key additions: Kyles Lao, Javi Gomez de Liano
For the first time in years, experience will be on the side of University of the Philippines.
But coach Bo Perasol knows that even with a more matured team, he still has his work cut out for him.
“They’re more experienced, but we still have to get that sting out of their system. Kailangang mawala sa isip nila na lagi kaming natatalo kasi kaya namang manalo eh,” he said.
That’s why in his foray into the Fighting Maroons side, Perasol is putting his trust on his veteran core bannered by Jett Manuel and the returning Kyles Lao.
Perasol believes that the five months spent together with team could be enough to propel UP to greater heights and beyond its record last season.
“We have worked with kung ano ang meron kami and we’ve maximized what we could to prepare for this year. I’m just hoping na malampasan namin yung three wins last season,” he said.
But the fact remains that the biggest hump for the Fighting Maroons is that changing the mindset if they want to finally break out of the cellar.
“Yung hurdle lang na yun, it’s more difficult to overcome kasi nagiging habit,” said Perasol. “Alam nilang kaya nilang manalo pero they don’t believe it. Yun ang sinusubukan kong palitan sa psyche nila.”