Perasol urges UP community to rally behind Maroons ‘come what may’

UP head coach Bo Perasol. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—University of the Philippines head coach Bo Perasol on Monday called for unity within the UP community a day after the Fighting Maroons’ blowout loss to Ateneo in the UAAP Season 82 men’s basketball tournament.

In a letter, Perasol also expressed his need to be better at keeping his emotions in check on the heels of his emotional outburst against a referee during the third quarter of UP’s 89-63 defeat.

“It’s time we all realize that we all, players or supporters, should pick up the pieces when we lose and not beat each other up to pieces when we do not come out victorious. We have to be behind each other, come what may, through thick or thin, rather than be at each other’s throat when we lose by one point or by 26 points,” Perasol said.

“I am not perfect, and I will never be even if i did not end up being thrown out for losing my temper or failing to call the shots against all odds. I coach not only for myself or for my players, but for the entire UP community who were watching the game live at the Araneta Coliseum or at their homes. I know that if I do not deliver now and go all the way in Season 82, then I have no business being at the bench of the UP Maroons any minute longer.”

Perasol drew flak for charging at a game official that led to his ejection in the third period.

READ: Perasol sorry after losing cool in UP loss to Ateneo

The Fighting Maroons ended the first round in second place with a 5-2 record but still found themselves under fire despite their standing.

Perasol said he is fully aware of the high expectations surrounding the team and that he himself sees his team’s Season 82 campaign as championship or bust.

“I know that there are those who are unconditionally behind me as coach regarding my behavior during the UP-Ateneo game and many who are cursing me to high heavens for my fighting stance, to the point that I ended up being ejected,” he said.

“Many in the UP community expect so much from this Maroons team for Season 82. I don’t blame them. Truth to tell, though, more than any true-blooded Isko or Iska, I as coach expect so much from this present line up.”

Perasol added the Maroons have a lot of work to do and they are just getting started with the second round of the season tipping off on Saturday.

UP’s campaign resumes against Far Eastern University on Sunday.

Full letter here:

I know that there are those who are unconditionally behind me as coach regarding my behavior during the UP-Ateneo game and many who are cursing me to high heavens for my fighting stance, to the point that I ended up being ejected. Many in the UP community expect so much from this Maroons team for Season 82. I don’t blame them. Truth to tell, though, more than any true-blooded Isko or Iska, I as coach expect so much from this present line up. I am, as coach, in charge of what the players will ever become at the end of the season, as champions or mere contenders with nothing to show for despite the huge build up we made. Indeed, to the players, marquee or not, go all the praises when we win, and every time we lose its all my fault as the coach. I accept that with all humility, together with all the harsh words that go with every defeat that we suffer. But more than these untold sufferings, its about time that we all realise the fact that the UP Men’s Basketball Team will never be champions simply because we are all cheering for them, praising them for the wins, but bashing them to no end for not beating their opponents.

It’s time we all realize that we all, players or supporters, should pick up the pieces when we lose and not beat each other up to pieces when we do not come out victorious. We have to be behind each other, come what may, through thick or thin, rather than be at each other’s throat when we lose by one point or by 26 points. If a win is a win so long as we scored more than an opponent, then a loss is a loss even if the margin is 26 points or more. I am not perfect, and I will never be even if i did not end up being thrown out for losing my temper or failing to call the shots against all odds. I coach not only for myself or for my players, but for the entire UP community who were watching the game live at the Araneta Coliseum or at their homes. I know that if I do not deliver now and go all the way in Season 82, then I have no business being at the bench of the UP Maroons any minute longer.

The season is not lost just because we lost our last game. Definitely, we are not yet done with Season 82 due to my ejection over what I view as both poor and biased officiating. I paid the price for my reaction by not being able to coach the rest of the game. I do need to do better when confronted with a similar situation. The greater challenge now is for me, the players and everyone in the UP community to rise above what happened. We have to take the last game as a wake up call, something that should spring us back to life and to the reality that much work needs to be done. The focus should not be on one incident, one play, one non-call or one game, but rather, all our eyes should be on the prize. I intend to lead the entire UP Men’s Basketball Team to victory in Season 82. It is my sacred duty, not only as a coach, but a proud Iskolar ng Bayan, to keep on fighting up to the very end of the season till the prize is won and the championship trophy is lifted for all Iskos and Iskas to bask on for the greater glory of the one and only “Unibersidad ng Pilipinas”. Should this not happen and if I fall terribly short, then, and only then, that you can blame it on me and the buck stops at me. For now, we will continue to Fight and Win for ourselves, the team, the supporters and the entire UP community. Let the second round begin!