After scoring a career-high 30 points during the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons’ first round triumph over the De La Salle University Green Archers last September 23, Paul Desiderio was limited to his season-low seven points on 2-for-13 shooting in their second round encounter, Sunday evening.
And it was all because there was a bigger, more explosive player defending him.
Desiderio, who stands at six-flat, was hounded by La Salle’s 6-foot-7 enigma Ben Mbala — a move that surprised even the UP ace.
“Nung first quarter nagulat ako. Ang laki ng tao ko. Naiilang ako parati,” shared the UP team captain, who is averaging 17.1 points per game.
With the Green Archers’ tall lineup, coach Aldin Ayo had the luxury to send Mbala down to the three position, moving Abu Tratter and Santi Santillan to the frontline. On the other hand, the Fighting Maroons, a team with relatively smaller players, had no other choice but to keep up with La Salle.
With that, Desiderio was forced to step up on being Mbala’s defender.
“Wala akong choice kung hindi bantayan din si Ben. Nakakapagod din, napagod din ako,” the 20-year-old said, “Naka-three bigs din sila so kung papalabasin ko si Ibra [Ouattara] kay Ben [Mbala].
“Wala kaming ring protector kaya kinuha ko na lang talaga [yung pagdedepensa sa kanya].”
Consequently, UP’s decision to keep Desiderio to bother the Cameroonian national team standout was also a move that surprised Mbala.
“Yeah a little bit [surpised], I didn’t expect that. I was expecting [Ibrahim] Ouattara, a big guy to be on me. Well it’s part of basketball, you got to be able to adjust. They used me as a three, then they used him as a four,” expressed the reigning UAAP MVP, who finished with 27 points and 14 rebounds.
In the end, La Salle’s defensive ploy proved to be the winning factor, with the match ending in a blowout of 85-62.
“[It was a] defensive job today, I just stick to it. Things went the right way,” said the 22-year-old center.
“I’m bigger than him [Paul] I just have to stay in front of him. Even if I get blown by, I’m bigger and faster, I can recover and go for the block or something.”
On the other hand, Desiderio will relish this experience, as he will have to go up against taller players in the future, especially when he enters the pro ranks.
“Lesson na rin yun sa akin. Kasi syempre akala ko okay lang na di ako iwan, [pero nung] malaki na nagbabantay sa akin, sobrang nakakailang na,” the shooting guard said.
“Sabi namin na babawi kami. Marami pa namang ibang laro eh. May chance pa kami mag-Final Four.”
