UPIS to go for Gold?
That’s the dream of University of the Philippines basketball program director Bo Perasol.
In a letter he sent to UP President Atty. Angelo Jimenez, Perasol shared the need to integrate both the men’s basketball program of UP and the boys’ program of UPIS with Goldwin Monteverde being the head coach of both squads.
“To ensure the sustainability of the program, especially now that UP’s aspirations are high, is to have an integrated and well-coordinated basketball program from high school to college,” said Perasol.
“We want to recruit players from around the country that will excel not only in basketball but will also survive the rigors of UPIS academic demand. Those young players, with the proper training program and exposure, will make sure our program in the UPMBT continues.”
Prior to being head coach of the Fighting Maroons, Monteverde was seen as one of the top high school coaches in the country.
Monteverde was previously the head coach of Chiang Kai Shek, Adamson High School, and Nazareth School of National University.
With the Bullpups, he steered the school to back-to-backs in the ASEAN School Games and numerous championships in the NBTC National Finals, PSSBC, MMBL, and Palarong Pambansa.
Monteverde is also credited with either discovering or developing the likes of Jonas Tibayan, Fran Yu, Jaydee Tungcab, Carl Tamayo, Kevin Quiambao, Gerry Abadiano, Harold Alarcon, and Terrence Fortea.
(C) Julius Domondon
Without a high school team last season, Monteverde and his staff spread the likes of Andy Gemao, Basti Reyes, Daniel Padilla, Syrex Silorio, and Jhazel Paguiligan (Letran), Mark De Leon (San Sebastian), Reinhard Jumamoy (NSNU), and Carl Manding (UST) to different programs.
Besides getting Monteverde, Perasol also assured UPIS that if Monteverde is given the keys to the team, they will also handle recruitment and screening, academic support and tutorials, strength and conditioning, skills training, team building, basketball data analytics, improvement of training facilities, among others.
“We hope to replicate our experience in the seniors’ program and elevate the juniors’ program to become more competitive and hopefully to be back in the final four and aim for the championship,” said Perasol.
For the last two seasons, UPIS has struggled with head Paolo Mendoza at the helm, earning just two wins in 28 games.
