UP 'reboot' begins as Bo Perasol leaves coaching post

Bo Perasol has officially resigned as UP coach. Nikki Collantes (file photo)

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--A "reboot" is set to begin at the University of the Philippines as the school bids goodbye to Bo Perasol as its men's basketball coach.

Perasol, in a statement on Wednesday night, tendered his resignation as the Fighting Maroons' mentor after successfully turning them from a moribund team to UAAP title contenders in just four years.

"We have gotten this far in just four 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," Perasol said.

Despite moving on from the coaching post, Perasol might stay with UP in a managerial scale as Team Manager Agaton Uvero and UP College of Human Kinetics dean Kiko Diaz confirmed in separate statements on Thursday that they have offered Perasol a spot in the management team.

"We have asked Coach Bo to remain with the team management to guide the transition and ensure the sustainability of the program," Uvero said.

"We earnestly hope he will remain with [the] team management to ensure the continuity of the program," added Diaz.

A good chunk of the Maroons' key players from the past two seasons have already left UP with the likes of the Gomez De Liano Brothers and David Murrell turning pro in the B.League and the PBA respectively.

With Perasol also vacating his post, Uvero thinks the team is doing more than just a rebuild.

"We are not just rebuilding, we are really starting again," he said.

Diaz echoed Uvero's statement, saying, "[Bo] wants the team to have a fresh start next season under a new head coach, with all the new players now."

Gilas Pilipinas standout Carl Tamayo and former University of Santo Tomas swingman CJ Cansino will lead UP for UAAP Season 84, whose start will still depend on the current COVID-19 situation.

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