UP Maroons' 'short shorts' were 'unintentional and distracting', says coach

MANILA, Philippines – The UP Fighting Maroons gained extra attention when they took the court Wednesday for their UAAP Season 82 opener against FEU rocking vintage short shorts.

But wearing those extra-short uniforms was not part of the plan, according to UP coach Bo Perasol.

“That was a distraction too,” Perasol of his wards’ attire, shortly after UP escaped a pesky Tamaraws squad, 61-55, for a promising start to their UAAP bid.

A “misunderstanding” with their jersey supplier apparently led to the Fighting Maroons wearing those shorts, which were reminiscent of the ones donned by pro basketball players from the 70s.

“It was just a lapse,” Perasol added.

The UP mentor likewise rued the fact that his players were already distracted enough on the court as they had a hard time keeping a determined FEU side at bay.

“I told them that if they’re gonna be distracted by the short shorts then I’m gonna have to feel distracted too with this skinny shirt that I have,” he said in jest.

“We were distracted at the beginning but we have to go through that also,” said Perasol

The Maroons leaned on the exploits of Javi Gomez de Liaño and former Green Archer Ricci Rivero — both of whom also stood out in those above-the-knee shorts — to pull off their first win of the season.

It could also be their last in those shorts. — With a report from Luisa Morales