Source: Perasol to be named UP coach

MANILA, Philippines – Dolreich “Bo" Perasol is returning home to his alma mater. The former Fighting Maroon who coached the Ateneo Blue Eagles for the past three seasons up until the end of the 78th season of the UAAP, is reportedly going to be introduced as UP’s head coach right before its participates in the summer tournaments PhilStar.com's source said.

 

Perasol, who guided Ateneo to an overall record of 27-18 and two Final Four finishes, will be replacing Rensy Bajar who was at the helm of the team for last season’s squad that finished seventh with a 3-11 record. The Fighting Maroons were unable to achieve its Final Four aspirations despite a strong pre-season showing.

 

Perasol suited up for the Fighting Maroons from 1990-94 and was named team captain in his final playing year. He coached Air21 and Powerade in the Philippine Basketball Association before his Ateneo stint. With his eventual calling the shots for his alma mater, Perasol will be one of two UP basketball tacticians to have called the shots for both Katipunan Avenue schools; the other being Joe Lipa.

 

PhilStar.com tried to get in touch with Perasol who didn’t return the text messages. 

 

The Diliman-based squad lost the services of sniper JR Gallarza, do-it-all forward Agustin Amar, forward Mark Juruena, and center Cheick Kone. 

 

The Maroons though will boast of a deep guard line-up with Diego Dario, Jett Manuel, Dave Moralde, Jarrell Lim, and Paul Desiderio. 

 

Rookies Kyle Ong from Xavier and Javier Gomez de Liano from UPIS will shore up their depleted front line with the former playing the three while the latter is a stretch four.

 

Forward-center Jerson Prado, whose untimely knee injury hurt UP’s Season 78 campaign will return to practice in about a month’s time. San Beda transferees Francis Abarcar and Ritchie Villaruz are also said to be in contention for team slots.