Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times

Basketball

From Liloan to Diliman, Paul Desiderio leaves lasting legacy to UP


When Paul Desiderio was subbed out for the final time for the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, he was showered with deafening chants.

“Atin ‘to!” “Desiderio! Desiderio!”

But the cheers did not just come from the UP faithful; even the Ateneo community paid their respects. It was a perfect tribute to the Isko who has so changed the culture of the Fighting Maroons.

Once a squad that was dubbed the lovable losers of the UAAP, Desiderio, a 5-foot-10 guard, was instrumental in the turnaround of the Fighting Maroons. If Jett Manuel was the firestarter, Deiderio was the engine.

UAAP-81-ADMU-vs.-UP-G2-Desiderio-5990 From Liloan to Diliman, Paul Desiderio leaves lasting legacy to UP Basketball News UAAP UP  - philippine sports news

“Pinakamalaking natutunan ko sa UP is yung pasensya.

“Ikaw, player ka from Cebu, zero (wins), fourteen (losses) ang start mo – ine-expect mo lilipat talaga ako ng school. Pero nagpasensya lang ako. Tinitiis ko, one win, [para] kahit na parang mukha na kaming loko, pag-graduate ko naman Finals. Special!” expressed Desiderio, who had to leave his hometown of Liloan, Cebu at the young age of 15 years old.

From the cellar-dwellars of the league, the Fighting Maroons’ trajectory changed with Desiderio and Bo Perasol. In Perasol’s first year, UP made the leap to sixth place. A year later, they were fifth.

This season saw the Fighting Maroons grow up, with Desiderio leading the charge. Despite all the obstacles they faced, UP ended a 32-year Finals drought to make it to the podium for the first time since their last championship.

“Never give up.

“Think positive lang parati, na kahit na yung nawawala na kami. Yun ang problema namin dati sa UP, nilalamangan na kami, nawawalan na kami ng gana at tuloy-tuloy na yun,” the 21-year-old reflected.

#ReadMore  Rookie Lycha Ebon continues to Be Brave for FEU Lady Tamaraws

“Happy naman ako na nabago yun. Laging sinasabi ng teammates ko, ‘Atin ‘to,’ kahit hindi na ako yung nagsasabi. Sobrang saya ko na,” he shared, as Atin ‘To had become the battle cry of every Isko and Iska out there.

So what legacy did Desiderio leave? Well, it would be hard to describe it in words.

Only pictures can really show it.

UAAP-81-Final-Four-ADU-vs.-UP-9229 From Liloan to Diliman, Paul Desiderio leaves lasting legacy to UP Basketball News UAAP UP  - philippine sports news

“Sobrang natutuwa ako kasi nagsama-sama sila ngayon. Dati ilan lang ang nanonood. First year ko, mabibilang mo lang, twenty. Pero ngayon, sobrang dami na. Sobrang tuwa ko.”

#UPStrong

Written By


You May Also Like

Basketball

Goldwin Monteverde cut a somber figure following University of the Phillipines’ stunning 67-47 loss to National University, acknowledging the hard lessons and painful missteps...

Basketball

At rock bottom, National University staged the mother of all upsets in the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Tournament, dismantling the University of...

Basketball

Francis Lopez had a forgettable outing against Adamson University last Sunday. Lopez, the second-leading scorer for the University of the Philippines this season, was...

Basketball

The ‘Battle of Katipunan’ rivalry has certainly intensified in the post-pandemic era, especially as archrival Ateneo de Manila University and University of the Philippines...

ADMU

University of the Philippines showcased its dominance over archrival Ateneo de Manila University with a commanding 28-point victory, 75-47, to enhance its pursuit of...

Basketball

After making a name for himself with University of the East in UAAP Season 85 in 2022, Gani Stevens surprised everyone by transferring to...

AdU

University of the Philippines secured its spot in the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Final Four by holding off Adamson University with a...

ADMU

Just like that, the Philippine collegiate basketball season is approaching its most exciting phase, with the Final Four just weeks away in both the...

Advertisement