Severino to stay as Ateneo coach for PCCL finals

MANILA, Philippines – Ateneo interim coach Gabby Severino will remain on the sidelines to call the shots for the Eagles in the Philippine Collegiate Champions League finals against UAAP nemesis University of Santo Tomas.

This comes even as the Ateneo management has already announced the hiring of Bo Perasol as Eagles head coach for the next UAAP season.

Earlier today, Ateneo president Jose Ramon Villarin announced the school’s reconciliation with business tycoon and longtime Eagles supporter Manny V. Pangilinan, adding that the school has tapped Perasol as its new coach.

The development comes as Severino is still unsure of his status with Ateneo, but reports claimed he, along with other current members of the coaching staff, will be retained under Perasol.

"We still don't have any idea yet what will happen. We haven't met him (Perasol) yet. But whatever happens, we are assured of finishing this tournament," Severino said after the Eagles’ victory over NCAA champions San Beda Red Lions yesterday.

The best-of-three finals is slated at 4 p.m.  tomorrow at The Arena in San Juan.

Severino believes they have a good chance in their rematch with UST after a fine showing against San Beda, whom they routed 66-49 to enter the finals.

"We played very well on defense and hustled well. If we bring the same effort of energy then we will have a good chance against UST," he said.

Severino also attributed Ateneo’s Final Four loss to UST in the round-robin semis to the lack of conditioning and preparedness.

"The PCCL is the first time we played together since the UAAP and Greg's (Slaughter) first game also coming from an injury," Severino said.

"Conditioning is really important and of course, it is the Finals already so it will be easier to motivate the boys," he added.