By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
After a disappointing finish in the UAAP Men’s basketball season 82, the UP Fighting Maroons are eager for another shot at the coveted title this coming season.
With a star-studded lineup of Kobe Paras, Ricci Rivero, and dominant big man Bright Akhuetie, the team is still tough to beat despite the departure of former shooting guard star Juan Gomez de Liaño and his emerging brother, Javi.
The UP coaching staff already laid out their preparations for the incoming UAAP season and most of their training camps will be held overseas.
Coach Bo Perasol said that they will conduct multiple overseas training camps in Australia, Serbia, and Taiwan with hopes of getting the Fighting Maroons in full condition for a title run.
“We are going to train and play in Melbourne, Australia, as well and we’re also supposed to go to Taiwan. But we’re still on the lookout for more training opportunities that will make us experience a highly competitive tournament before the UAAP starts,” coach Perasol said.
Their exit against the young UST Growling Tigers shocked most in the basketball community, with most of them anticipating a finals rematch between UP and the Ateneo Blue Eagles.
So to avoid these kinds of heartbreaks, coach Perasol and his staff have fully committed to go all out this season 83, stating that these places they are going to visit will give them the best preparations for the incoming season.
“The countries we go to are usually places where basketball is big. The development there is way ahead of us, so that is where we benefit from new technologies, new advancements, new ideas, new ways to train,” Perasol said.
