Serbia training, new gym planned for UP Maroons

University of the Philippines coach Bo Perasol bared the team is already finalizing its trip to Serbia for training camp as part of the Fighting Maroons’ buildup for the UAAP.

Perasol said the team had initially planned to go to the US but it hit a snag after Nigerian import Bright Akhuetie’s visa application was denied.

“We’re looking at Serbia right now. We’re looking probably last two weeks of July. We’re finalizing it,” Perasol told reporters in a press conference where the Nowhere To Go But UP Foundation, Inc. sealed a deal with 3M Philippines to sponsor the men’s basketball team.

“Our US trip had a glitch because Bright was denied from probably because he’s African so we encountered a problem and I don’t want to go there without him because it will be useless without him.”

There has been an outpour of support for the men’s basketball team from the school’s alumni.

Apart from the overseas trip, UP president Danilo Concepcion also revealed that a new basketball gym will soon rise to replace the old, oven-hot and dusty court.

“We’re already planning to build a new practice gym that will replace the small practice gym you’re using,” Concepcion said in Filipino. “The new gym won’t be hot like an oven. It’s air conditioned so you won’t feel cold when you play at MOA and Araneta Coliseum.”

“This facility will have a dugout, shower rooms, meeting rooms and good lighting so that you won’t get dazzled when you play at MOA. The floors will be leveled so the bounce of the ball will be just right,” he added, smiling. “We are finalizing the plan for this new gym.”

Perasol said the all-out support is a shot in the arm to the team’s morale heading into the UAAP Season 81 where the Fighting Maroons will be early Final Four favorites.

“More than the financial is the belief. This is a big boost to the team’s morale.”