By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons notched the most convincing win in their international basketball camp held in Korea after edging the Ricardo Ratliffe-led Korean Basketball Club (KBL) Jeonju KCC Egis, 83-82.
This is also their first international tune-up game win since arriving in Korea last week and just clinched a 1-4 overseas record.
Despite the win-loss record, UP’s program director Bo Perasol was satisfied with his team’s performance against the professional KBL hoops squad.
“I’m very satisfied with what I am witnessing. It is not only about the games but also the practices and the experiences that the boys share together here,” said Perasol.
Before leaving the PHL for Korea, the Fighting Maroons lost two pre-season collegiate basketball tournaments namely: The UCBL and the 2022 FilOil EcoOil tournament.
The outcome however didn’t bother Perasol and head coach Goldwyn Monteverde after experiencing the absence of James Spencer and late arrivals from Malick Diouf and Zavier Lucero.
Carl Tamayo, the team’s superstar power forward and a member of the Gilas Pilipinas national team who played during former NBA Sixth Man of the Year Jordan Clarkson’s debut against Lebanon, had to sit out against Saudi Arabia due to a conflict with their flight to Korea.
This is also a rare off-season moment that Lucero, Diouf, and Tamayo reunited to play together and are seeking to defend their UAAP men’s basketball championship title next season.
“They are able to practice with coach Gold with much more focus and attention. They fight it out with the much-experienced pro players here, half of which have imports,” added Perasol.
