#FilOil2019: Perasol lauds UP s resolve in their OT win vs La Salle

SAN JUAN -- UP had to endure five more minutes to eclipse La Salle at the FilOil Flying V Preseason Cup last Mother's Day, but Bo Perasol would have none of that mattered.

For him, the Fighting Maroons are still learning, owing to the fact that they have boosted since their UAAP Finals appearance just last year.

"It's still the objective of every game that we have, not just aganst La Salle, for us to learn how to win together," Perasol said after their 92-85 overtime thriller.

"I encourage them not to be too emotional about it, but sometimes you can't help it because of the circumstances and all," he added, noting that the pre-match hype is based on Ricci Rivero playing against his former alma mater.

The former Green Archer admits that the win is just a bonus for them as he echoes what his mentor had said.

"Actually nothing to lose naman, it's just that like coach bo said. What makes a team good by being together, trusting each other, and willingness to win."

The game was a statement too for Noah Webb, with the former Zobel standout waited for the perfect time to take the yeoman's job after sitting out 2018 due to a nagging ankle injuries.

"Honestly I'm traumatized. Like there are some days that i have a dream and I'll sprain my ankle and I wake up. And I got to do ankle exercises [even at the middle of the night]. it's that bad."

Perasol added that the return of Javi Gomez de Liano makes UP a better team, and the competition within them was one of those reasons.

"They can't lie low and step down to take away our strength. The encouragement is that, whatever strength we have, we include the strength of Ricci, Noah and Kobe, that will make us better. So yan yung importante."

(photo by FilOil Flying V Sports)