UAAP: Perasol parts ways with Ateneo 'amicably'

It was over before it began. Coach Bo Perasol, widely seen as the successor to Norman Black as the head coach of the reigning five-peat UAAP champions Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles, will not be patrolling the sidelines for the blue and white squad come Season 76 of the UAAP. In an interview with GMA News Online, Perasol confirmed that he has been released from his three-year deal with Ateneo. The move was settled by both parties, following the withdrawal of support by businessman Manuel V. Pangilinan (MVP), a major supporter of Ateneo. “It was an amicable settlement, and we knew na mutually releasing each other would be best,” said Perasol. “Although sinabi ko [kay university president Fr. Jett Villarin] I’m truly grateful for the trust he gave - ako talaga yung choice nila [for the job].” “But in my mind there was no doubt as to who my patron and benefactor is, that is MVP,” he said. Perasol added that from the moment MVP disengaged, his departure was going to be “a matter of time,” unless commitments beyond the recently concluded UAAP season were arranged. At the moment, the former head coach of the PBA's Powerade Tigers has not decided on a future position. However, he said that he could possibly move to a consultant job for another university that Pangilinan might sponsor, join the staff of either of MVP's PBA teams, the Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters or the Meralco Bolts, or even enter the ranks of the corporate world. “A lot of options ang binibigay si MVP,” he said. “I haven’t really thought about them. Wala sa isip ko ‘yun because I’ve been thinking of Ateneo up until recently, but the options are there.” After piloting Ateneo to five straight titles, Black moved on to the head coaching job of the PBA's Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters. - AMD, GMA News