Ateneo announces Perasol remains coach, has ‘full support’

MANILA, Philippines – Ateneo de Manila University announced on Friday, October 9, that Blue Eagles head coach Bo Perasol has the “full support” of the university and team management amidst speculation that he would be replaced.

Following Ateneo’s loss to the DLSU Green Archers on Sunday, October 4, there were murmurs that Perasol would be removed as head coach after the Blue Eagles finished the first round of the UAAP Season 78 senior’s basketball tournament with a 4-3 record. 

Some rumors even indicated that Perasol’s job would be taken over by one of his assistant coaches, Ronnie Magsanoc.

“In view of the recent rumors regarding the head coach position of the Ateneo Blue Eagles, the Ateneo de Manila would like to affirm that Bo Perasol remains the Head Coach of the Blue Eagles with the full support of the Ateneo and team management,” stated Ateneo president, Jose Ramon Villarin SJ, in a letter addressed to the university community.

“We have had several conversations with our players and coaching staff, meeting them face-to-face and heart-to-heart,” the letter also said. 

“We have voiced our concern about our playing and coaching performance in the first round. From external and internal feedback, and in the spirit of the Ignatian examen and this difficult discipline of self-awareness, we have noted and learned from our mistakes. I know that we will continue to improve in the second round.”

Although their star player Kiefer Ravena is on pace to repeat as UAAP MVP, the Blue Eagles have already blown two double-digit leads this season to UST and DLSU. They open the second round against FEU on Sunday, October 11. 

(READ: Why Kiefer Ravena deserves the UAAP MVP right now)

Perasol was hired during the 2013 UAAP offseason, right off the heels of Ateneo’s string of 5 straight UAAP titles under the tutelage of Norman Black, who’s now a PBA coach for the Meralco Bolts.

In his first season, Perasol coached Ateneo to a 7-7 record as Ravena battled an ankle injury all-season long. The team missed the Final Four round.

The following season, the Blue Eagles went 11-3 in the eliminations and grabbed the top seed. However, Perasol’s team was unable to make the finals, as they were upset by the eventual champion NU Bulldogs despite having a twice-to-beat advantage in the Final Four round. – Rappler.com