MANILA, Philippines -- The University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons are ramping up their preparations with six months to go before the UAAP Season 83 men's basketball tournament tips off.

Bo Perasol, in his fifth season of coaching UP, acknowledged that the offseason will be key to having a good run in the tournament, as players hone their skills and build camaraderie and chemistry.

"Off-season training is going to be the baseline of how you will do in the regular season," said Perasol. "So, whatever it is that you do in the off-season is going to dictate what your season is going to be."

The Fighting Maroons have greatly benefited from training camps they have attended in Serbia and Las Vegas, with help from supporter JJ Atencio of STATS Performance Apparel.

"Training plays a vital part in preparing the players for the season. I personally targeted to come in and sponsor training abroad to help mold the mentality of the group," said Atencio.

Perasol said they go to countries with a well-developed basketball culture so they can benefit from "new technologies, new advancements, new ideas, new ways to train."

"Besides looking for training opportunities, we also look to compete in pocket tournaments here and abroad to give us different points of view, a different experience and different kinds of play," he explained.

The Fighting Maroons intend to train in Auckland, New Zealand this year, but Perasol said they are open to other possibilities too.

Like most sports teams, the Fighting Maroons' plans have also been affected by the COVID-19 outbreak.

"We are going to train and play in Melbourne, Australia as well and we're also supposed to go to Taiwan," said Perasol. "But we're still on the lookout for more training opportunities that will make us experience a highly competitive tournament before the UAAP starts."

The Fighting Maroons will also compete in the FilOil Preseason Tournament in May, and defend their title in the BLIA Cup in Taiwan in July.

UP reached the Final 4 in Season 82 as the second seed, but they were twice beaten by University of Santo Tomas in the step-ladder semifinals.

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