Photo by Tristan Tamayo/ INQUIRER.net
Fans of the University of the Philippines will have to wait a little bit longer before seeing the Fighting Maroons on the court anew.
Coach Bo Perasol said that instead of playing in the upcoming PBA D-League season, he advised his core players to focus on their studies as they prepare for next year’s run in UAAP Season 81.
“I told them to focus on their second semester studies,” he said in a text message Tuesday.
Javi Gomez de Liaño, who was picked by Wangs Basketball-Letran, and Jerson Prado, who was selected by Gamboa-St. Clare, were picked in the 10th round of the 2017 PBA D-League Draft, but Perasol said that the two won’t be making their debut in the developmental league, at least for this upcoming season.
The same goes for Paul Desiderio, whose rights are with CEU (then-CafeFrance), and Diego Dario, who was with AMA Online Education.
Perasol said that his decision to prohibit them from joining in the PBA D-League is an effort to give priority to his players’ welfare.
“I suggested that to the team,” he said. “They will really have a hard time passing their classes if they’re going to miss those because of practices and games. More so, the second semester is very important in their eligibility for the next season.”
Of the UP players which saw action last year, only senior forward Rob Ricafort, who was picked by Che’Lu Bar and Grill-San Sebastian in the sixth round, will be able to play this upcoming 2018 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup.