BO Perasol had a lot more reasons to be disappointed after University of the Philippines failed to close out University of Santo Tomas in the stepladder semifinals of the UAAP Season 82 men's basketball tournament.
The Maroons, you see, had resolved to offer Sunday's game to longtime backer team Robina Gokongwei-Pe, eldest daughter of billionaire John Gokongwei who died late Saturday night at the age of 93.
"In fact, we already talked about that in the beginning. Ma'am Robina texted me that her dad passed away," said Perasol after the 89-69 defeat to the UST Tigers at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Perasol said the Maroons hoped a win would cheer up Robina and honor his late dad.
"It's something that we talked about inside the room and we could have offered the game and our efforts to him because he always congratulates us when UP wins," the coach said. "It's just sad that we're not able to give them the win," said Perasol.
The UAAP offered a moment of silence before the UP-UST game in honor of the late tycoon.
The good thing is, the Maroons, as the second seeds with twice-to-beat advantage, can still make amends by beating the Tigers in a do-or-die game on Wednesday for the right to face unbeaten Ateneo in the finals.
By then, Perasol hopes to get the job done.
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