Paul Desiderio could hardly sleep prior to his and the University of the Philippines’ Final Four game against the Adamson University Soaring Falcons. It could be his last-ever game for the Fighting Maroons, for whom he moved from Liloan, Cebu.
Desiderio even made sure to bring his mother and some of his siblings over to watch this game. But for them, they firmly believed that this would not be his last hurrah.
“Kagabi, iniisip ko sa dinner ng family namin – sabi ko sa kanila, baka ito na last game ko sa UAAP,” shared the 21-year-old. “Sila, nakikita ko sila na positive lang.
“Sabi nila sa akin, ‘Hindi pa. Meron pang Wednesday.'”
The UAAP Season 79 Men’s Basketball Mythical Team member did all he could to extend his stay with UP. After scoring nine points in the third canto, Desiderio added another 10 points in the final frame – including a beautiful stepback jumper over Jerom Lastimosa with 5.5 ticks remaining to put the Fighting Maroons up 71-69.
Still, it was not enough. Sean Manganti was awarded two free throws on the other end to knot things up once again.
But Desiderio was not to be denied, vowing to do whatever he can to give his team one more day.
“Sabi ko, amin talaga ‘to.”
Off a timeout, the 5-foot-10 guard stood his ground, setting the biggest and toughest screen he could against the 6-foot-8 Papi Sarr. That screen freed up Bright Akhuetie underneath to score the game-winner.
“Nakita ko nandun na si Bright, amin na talaga yun.”
Desiderio lived to fight another day.
“Alam mong gusto niya, nasa mata niya, nakikita mo yun. Hindi siya nandadaya sa depensa kahit na tumutodo sa opensa. Dun pa lang, alam mong gustong-gusto niya. There’s so much motivation in him, wala na nga ako dun eh,” beamed Bo Perasol, Desiderio’s mentor for the last three years.
“Gusto niyang i-end yung playing career niya on a winning note.”
Risking life and limb, he wanted to tell his family and the community that they have a shot – a fighting chance to win it all.
“Ilang taon nang ‘di pa nakapasok sa Finals ang UP. Ito na,” he declared.
“Malay mo, one game, isang laro. Kahit hindi namin makuha, at least, nabigyan namin ng chance yung sarili namin.”
