For University of the Philippines athletic director Bo Perasol, you can’t keep up with your own success.
Three straight finals runs, including a title three years ago, simply means another championship appearance would be customary for the Fighting Maroons, but that won’t mean a thing until they win it all once the senior men’s basketball tournament ends.
“I would be disappointed if we’re not going to the finals. Being in the finals is another story. I think any team that’s going to be in the finals deserve to be there and I think whoever is going to be there would be strong enough to be the champion,” said Perasol, a former star player of UP, who never enjoyed success until he coached the team a few years ago.
He could only relish success the past three seasons, but the two straight finals setbacks were painful enough that the battle cry for the Fighting Maroons this season is to win it at all cost.
“The goal is always to win the championship and to have the chance to win it all,” he added. “If you want to be simplistic about it, it’s always the championship trophy that matters. We all want to be poetic about it that we always want to fight and the community will appreciate that, but reality will speak that it’s important to win the championship.”
“We had three opportunities to do that and we only succeeded once. Maybe in our fourth crack, we’re going to get the second one.”
The Fighting Maroons are expected to bounce back this season with a more matured roster at their disposal and much will be expected on JD Cagulangan, Francis Lopez, the vastly-improving Jerry Abadiano and Quentin Millora-Brown.
“I’ve been watching the preseason games and I think Jerry Abadiano is performing really well and we’re hoping he’s going to perform well and then we have JD Cagulangan who’s going to be our lead point guard and hopefully, the likes of Francis Lopez and we’re hoping Quentin Millora-Brown is going to help us,” added Perasol.
RENEWING PARTNERSHIP
Palawan Group of Companies reinforces its unwavering commitment to the UP Fighting Maroons by continually renewing its collaboration. In addition to the UP Men’s Basketball Team, the company also supports the UP Junior’s Basketball Team and the Women’s Basketball Team, underscoring its dedication to fostering athletic growth across all levels.
As the country’s leading and most trusted pawnshop and remittance company, Palawan Group continues to champion its mission of giving back
to the community through education and sports development. Committed to promoting sports excellence, the company has been an ardent supporter of various sports programs, including tennis, running, and basketball.
The contract signing was graced by Palawan Group of Companies executives, including Lilian Castro-Selda, Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer; Korina Castro-Fernando, Chief Human Resources Officer; and Angelita Castro, Deputy Chairman.
Joining them were representatives from the UP sports community, such as Jed Eva, Chairman of nowhere to go but UP; Bo Perasol, Director of the UP Office for Athletics and Sports Development (OASD); Goldwin Monteverde, Head Coach of the UP Men’s Basketball Team; and Paul Ramos, Coach of the UP Women’s Basketball Team. The event was also honored by the presence of Angelo Jimenez, UP President.
