Perasol likely to call shots for Blue Eagles

MANILA, Philippines - Bo Perasol has come in and out and in again as Ateneo’s new coach.

The former Powerade coach is reportedly set to assume the head coach position of the Eagles anytime today, ending a long search for Norman Black’s replacement.

Perasol, who steered the unfancied Powerade to last year’s PBA Philippine Cup finals, has neither confirmed nor denied the report, saying it’s up to Ateneo to make the announcement official.

“I can’t comment right now, it will be up to Ateneo to make the official announcement on this,” said Perasol, a former UAAP stalwart who skippered the UP Maroons in the early 90s.

Perasol has actually met with Ateneo president Fr. Jett Villarin, SJ, yesterday where he might have gotten the latter’s final approval.

Perasol was supposed to have taken over the post left by Black as early as late last month, weeks after Ateneo copped its fifth straight UAAP championship with a two-game sweep of UST.

Black, who piloted the Eagles to a rare five-peat feat in the UAAP, has moved to the PBA as coach of Talk n Text.

But after Ateneo and its top patron Manny V. Pangilinan severed ties, Perasol, a known MVP supporter, had to beg off. Before he could do it, the Ateneo management rescinded his three-year contract.

But after weeks of talks and meetings, Ateneo decided to tap Perasol again.

Gabby Severino has been handling Ateneo since, leading the school to a runner-up finish in the recent University Games in Bacolod and the Final Four of the ongoing Phl Collegiate Champions League.

Perasol will be one of the two new faces in the UAAP next season together with TnT and Energen Pilipinas assistant mentor Nash Racela, who has taken over Far Eastern U vice Bert Flores.