Perasol: 'Individual tendencies' causing UP's near meltdowns

MANILA, Philippines — The UP Fighting Maroons may be touting a 4-1 record, but a lot of those victories could have easily been losses.

All of their victories were decided on single-digit margins and three of them were games where they had previously held a sizeable lead.

In their wins against FEU, NU and UE, the Fighting Maroons were able to clinch double-digit leads in the match.

But all three opponents were able to get within striking distance late in the fourth quarter.

For UP coach Bo Perasol, the natural tendencies of his players explain this.

"Di naman siya obvious pero yung composition ng team namin would really answer that question. Most of my players, my starters, a lot of them are ball dominant guys," Perasol said after the match.

"We have our own plans, we have our own roles, sino mainit, but in the end, 'pag nakakakita na ng lamang, lumalabas yung personal at individual tendencies to score," he added.

But the Diliman squad mentor doesn't necessarily see a problem with this trend among UP's games early in the season.

He just wants to make sure they successfully convert on their chances.

"For me, okay lang naman yan kaya lang, napakarami talagang mintis namin at this moment," Perasol said.

"Because if there's going to be a time that's going to come na lahat sila mainit, mahirap din naman kami talunin," he added.

The Fighting Maroons are on a quest to make a return trip to the Finals with blue chip recruits Kobe Paaras and Ricci Rivero.