UP coach Bo Perasol. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—As Bo Perasol bids goodbye to the University of the Philippines, he believes the team he once coached will undergo a fruitful reboot under new leadership.
Perasol resigned from his head coaching post of the Fighting Maroons on Wednesday after four years with the program. During his tenure, his alma mater reached relative prominence and even achieved a runner-up finish in UAAP Season 81.
“We have gotten this far in just 4 seasons under my helm, that is unprecedented in fact. But the team still needs better plans as always, and a reboot. I have now decided not to coach for my last season and I have already submitted to UP officials a short list of possible replacements for my position,” said Perasol in a statement.
“I look forward to having the same – if not even more intense – level of support from the UP community as they have showered our team since the last few seasons.”
Perasol, who is a UP alum, replaced Renzy Bajar as the Maroons’ head coach in 2016 and he slowly changed the team’s reputation from a bottom-dweller to fringe contender.
The Fighting Maroons ultimately made the Final 4 in Perasol’s third year and even reached the finals before losing to eventual champion Ateneo.
‘REBOOT’
Bo Perasol has announced his resignation as UP Fighting Maroons’ head coach.
UP to make a decision on his replacement after vetting Perasol’s shortlist for his replacement and further consultations. pic.twitter.com/bII5h6sONj
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) July 15, 2021
UP once again reached the Final 4 in Season 82 as the second seed with a 9-5 record but got bounced in the second round of the stepladder tournament losing to University of Santo Tomas.
Before Perasol left, though, he was able to recruit National University high school graduates Carl Tamayo and Gerry Abadiano as well as former UST guard CJ Cansino, who transferred to UP in 2020.
Maroons team manager Agaton Uvero said they asked Perasol to stay with the team in some capacity as they wait for UP’s higher-ups to decide on who will be the program’s new head coach.
“We are not just rebuilding, we are really starting again. We have asked Coach Bo to remain with the team management to guide the transition and ensure the sustainability of the program. In the meantime, we will wait for UP’s decision on the new head coach of the UP Men’s Basketball Team,” said Uvero in a statement.