OPISYAL nang nagbitiw bilang coach ng University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons si veteran mentor Bo Perasol.
Sinabi ni Perasol na bagama’t nangako siyang mananatili ng isa pang season sa Maroons para sa rebuilding process nito, nagbago ang isip niya dahil sa COVID-19 pandemic.
“Unfortunately, the pandemic has impacted on all of us, including the dynamics of the playing field. It has sadly changed my views, plans and priorities too,” pag-amin ng 49-anyos na coach.
“We have gotten this far in just 4 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,” dagdag niya.
Hiniling din niya ang patuloy na suporta ng UP community para sa Fighting Maroons.
“I look forward to having the same – if not even more intense – level of support from the UP community as they have showered our team since the last few seasons. Just as UP stands as a symbol for the never ending fight for excellence, for the quest for knowledge and learning, so shall the Fighting Maroons pursue our never ending quest for excellence in our non academic pursuits, in the process continuing to be the rallying point for Maroon pride.”
Sa limang taon ni Perasol sa UP, nadala niya ang Maroons sa Season 81 Finals. Ngunit noong Season 82 ay umabot lang ang team hanggang sa Final Four.
Samantala, naglabas rin ng pahayag si UP College of Human Kinetics Dean Francis “Kiko” Diaz kaugnay sa resignation ni Perasol.
“Coach Bo promised to coach for another season after S82. After the cancellation of S83 and the rescheduling of S84, we were hopeful he would still remain as coach. Regrettably, he wants the team to have a fresh start next season under a new head coach, with all the new players now. A ‘reboot’ as he said.”
Umaasa naman si Diaz na tutulong pa rin si Perasol sa rebuilding process ng koponan.
“We earnestly hope he will remain with team management to ensure the continuity of the program. We are now vetting the list submitted by Coach Bo and we will make a formal announcement as soon as a decision is made by the UP Diliman Chancellor, after proper consultations with the UP community, stakeholders, supporters and sponsors of the team.” (ANN ENCARNACION)
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