Bo Perasol returns to Fighting Maroons bench
Games Today
(Smart Araneta Coliseum) 10:30 a.m. – La Salle vs UE 12:30 p.m. – Ateneo vs FEU 4 p.m. – UST vs UP
Early semifinalist Ateneo tries to preserve its unbeaten record while coach Bo Perasol returns to University of the Philippines today in UAAP season 82 men’s basketball at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The two-time defending champion Blue Eagles gun for their 11th straight victory in the 12:30 p.m. confrontation with the Far Eastern University Tamaraws while the Maroons clash with the University of Santo Tomas Tigers at 4 p.m.
Ateneo remains an untouchable force after toppling archrival La Salle 77-69 last Sunday, but coach Tab Baldwin insists there is no rest for the weary.
“As I always say, there’s still a lot to work on,” he said.
Boasting of a deep frontline that includes Thirdy Ravena, Ange Kouame, Adrian Wong and Will Navarro, the Blue Eagles seek a repeat performance of their 63-46 first round rout of FEU last Sept. 14.
FEU, meanwhile, hopes to ride on the momentum of its 72-58 win over UST that tied them with the Tigers at third place with 5-5.
“Every win counts in the second round. For us, every game is a do-or-die game,” said FEU coach Olsen Racela, who will be banking on LJ Gonzales, Royce Alforque and Wendell Comboy in the hopes of pulling off an upset victory against the Blue Eagles.
Meanwhile, eyes will be on UP as it aims to strengthen its Final Four bid with a 6-3 mark at second place with Perasol returning at the coaching helm.
The league reduced Perasol’s three-game suspension to two games after he personally apologized to Commissioner Jensen Ilagan for his outburst in their game against Ateneo two weeks ago.
It’s back to business for the Maroons, who seek a second straight win and a different outcome from their 8569 first round loss to the Tigers.
“There’s not much adjustment to do as I was with them the whole time except during game time. We need to treat every game from here on as playoff games,” Perasol said.