After losing two straight games against the Far Eastern University Tamaraws and the Adamson University Soaring Falcons to fall to an even 3-3 record, University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons’ second-year head coach Bo Perasol assured that there is still no reason to panic.
“Hindi ako worried kasi alam mo yung timbre ng team. Minsan kasi, ‘pag nandun ka sa team, nararamdaman mo na bumibigay na e. Pero ito hindi e. Alam mo na andun lang sila,” the second-year UP mentor said.
“Yung dalawang talo sa Ateneo and FEU, really bad game, but this one, it could’ve gone either way.”
“As a coach, I have to make sure they understand na not all good games result in a win. Sometimes, you played bad and yet you win. Proof is us against UST – we played bad and we won. This one, I think we played really well and we matched up with them until the last second and yet we lost. Sayang e,” Perasol pointed out.
Although it was a close game up to the last second, the last possession fell right into the hands of Sean Manganti for a lucky tip-in.
What’s bothering the Fighting Maroons is the lack of bench support that has been plaguing the team since their game against FEU.
“That’s my challenge to the people coming off the bench. In fact, we have to start some of my strong guys offensively, hoping the guys coming off the bench can sustain.
“In fact, the reason I put Juan off the bench kasi I told him, ‘Juan [Gomez de Liano] you have to take care of the scoring cudgels after Paul (Desiderio) and Jun (Manzo) go out,'” Perasol said.
Unfortunately, the younger Gomez de Liano wasn’t able to deliver coming off the bench, scoring just three points on 1-for-7 shooting.
Rookie point guard Jun Manzo, who posted a career-high of 19 points, also called for support from their bench.
“Kailangan talagang mag-step up yung bench points kasi mahihirapan kaming mga starter lalo na kanina, lumamang kami ng mga 10 points o 11 points pumasok yung bench tapos nag-tabla yung score.
“Kailangan din ni Paul kasi kung siya lang, katulad nung nangyari sa FEU, wala, mahihirapan talaga kami,” the 20-year-old floor general said.
With one last chance to close their first round campaign on a high note against the National University on Sunday, Manzo and Perasol are keeping their heads up, positive to finish the round at 4-3.
“Kailangan naming manalo sa NU para makapasok kami sa Final Four. Yun ang mindset namin,” said the 5-foot-9 Fighting Maroon.
“Sabi ko nga, if we can finish the first round at 4-3, when was the last time we finished a round 4-3, diba?” Perasol shared. “I think that the good thing about this is the boys really wanted to bounce back.
“They really wanted to bounce back, that’s one thing I can give them.”
By: Danine Cruz
