MANILA, Philippines – The University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons will train for two weeks in Novi Sad, Serbia as part of their preparations for the upcoming UAAP Season 81 men's basketball tournament.
Coach Bo Perasol confirmed Tuesday that the team will leave for Serbia on July 21, and will stay there until August 4.
The Fighting Maroons will be trained by former 3x3 champions and play against professional teams from the region.
"We'll be blown out by 50 points," Perasol said. "But that's okay, as long as the competition is very good."
Perasol said their entire team – including high-profile transferee Ricci Rivero – will make the trip to Serbia where he hopes the Fighting Maroons will gain the experience and exposure that will help them come the UAAP season.
"The end goal would be that we would be physically conditioned after that (training camp), because we have a month to go before the opening," said Perasol.
"No. 2, we will get very tough competition against the other teams, and at the same time, we are going to get some valuable skills that players in their caliber could really teach us," he added.
Perasol fully expects his team to struggle against the professional squads in Serbia, but he is not worried for as long as the Fighting Maroons can show that they can compete.
"We will try to execute what we practice in a harsh condition, and that harsh condition is a very strong team," he said. "They would feel that they can beat these teams, but they have to play against them."
"Importante na they understand na whether they win or they lose, it doesn't matter, for as long as they can compete with the stronger teams," he stressed.
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