Bo Perasol's Cinderella runs: The 2018 UP Fighting Maroons and the 2012 Powerade Tigers

Cinderella stories are not really new for UP Fighting Maroons head coach Bo Perasol.

The term "Cinderella story," in sports, refer to situations in which teams achieve far greater success than expected.

Similar to UP's story of forcing do-or-die games against top teams like the Adamson Soaring Falcons, Perasol had a similar experience six years ago when he handled the Powerade Tigers in the PBA.

In 2012, the eighth-seeded Powerade Tigers also made it to the PBA Philippine Cup Finals after toppling two top-seeded teams.

During the Philippine Cup quarters, they forced a rubber match against the top seeded B-Meg Llamados handled by now Ginebra head coach Tim Cone.

B-Meg, who had the likes of James Yap, PJ Simon, and Marc Pingris, earned the twice-to-beat advantage entering the playoffs.

However, thanks to Gary David who made 37 big points in their do-or-die game against B-Meg, the Tigers eventually toppled the Llamados -- a similar feat made by the Fighting Maroons against the Soaring Falcons.

"We were able to overcome B-Meg at that time, the same manner we overcame Adamson now, but it's something we need to forget because there is a big challenge ahead of us, so we just have to prepare hard against Ateneo," Perasol said.

Powerade, after defeating fifth-seeded Rain or Shine in a seven-game series, eventually faced a powerful Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters squad.

TNT back then, under Coach Chot Reyes, was composed of players such as Jimmy Alapag, Larry Fonacier, Ranidel de Ocampo, Kelly Williams, Jayson Castro -- all stellar names now in Philippine basketball.

However, the Tigers fell short and the Texters won the championship.

Does Perasol see the resemblance with the Maroons' situation?

"We went up against a powerful Talk 'N Text team and we are going to go up against Ateneo so it's the same. But if we can have that same mindset, I think we will have a chance," Perasol said.

However, for the former Powerade coach, the Diliman-based squad will not go down without a fight against the dominant Eagles.

"If we can have that same mindset, I think we will have a chance. We cannot just say that they're strong and we're going to lie down there and watch them. We will take our chances. We will make sure that we will be able to give them a fight."

"We just have to prepare hard against Ateneo," he added.

The Fighting Maroons, who are in the UAAP Finals for the first time after 32 years, will face the Blue Eagles in a best-of-three series starting on Saturday. — BAP, GMA News