Win over Ateneo ‘extra special’ for Perasol as UP ends drought

UP head coach Bo Perasol after the Maroons beat Ateneo for the first time in seven years. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Bo Perasol pumped his fists in the air in the final seconds of University of the Philippines’ dramatic win over Ateneo Saturday night.

It was just the Fighting Maroons’ second victory in UAAP Season 79, but Perasol knew it was more than that.

UP finally beat Ateneo after seven years and to him, that’s what made the moment special and nothing more.

READ: UP ends 14-game losing skid vs Ateneo

“We are not going to wait for seven more years again. The last win was back in 2009,” Perasol told reporters after the Maroons pulled off a 56-52 upset of the Blue Eagles. “At least with the next teams, we can say that it was not the 2009 team that last won against Ateneo but it was the 2016 team.”

“It’s extra special in a sense that we were able to put an end to the streak. But in the sense that I was their coach before, I feel bad for my former players also. I know that they are in contention,” cleared Perasol.

Perasol coached Ateneo for three years, including last season before his contract ended and wasn’t renewed.

READ: Despite 1-6 record, Perasol won’t get mad at Maroons

“There’s no extra feeling that I defeated my former team but I am happy for my players who were able to get that win.”

Perasol believes UP is much better than what its lowly 2-6 record indicates and the Maroons proved it Saturday night.

“The main thing that we discussed is that we believe that we are better than 1-6. I really thought that if we could have closed out games like we did today, then we could have won a couple more games.”