It was six years in the making, but Paul Desiderio and Ron Dennison once again shared the court together.
All throughout their UAAP careers, Desiderio and Dennison were at each other when they played heads up. It was as if they had never played together during their high school days in University of Visayas.
“Pinaka-favorite na moment namin sa UAAP? Masaya kasi lahat eh, kaya mahirap pumili. Kahit na magkalaban kami sa UAAP on court, nandun parin kasi ang friendship naming dalawa off the court,” recalled Dennison, who played five years for the Far Eastern University.
“Matutuwa ka na lang makita kaming nagbibiruan at laging tumatawa ‘pag magkasama kami.”
During his days in FEU, the 6-foot Denisson always had Desiderio’s number. He was able to limit the University of the Philippines’ prolific scorer every time they faced off – becoming known as the Desiderio stopper.
But in their final meeting, Desiderio made sure to have the last laugh, ending UP’s 12-game skid against FEU with a clutch stepback triple last October 28.
“Siyempre, para sa akin yung na-step-backan ko siya ng for the win,” quipped Desiderio about his favorite moment against Dennison.
As fate would have it, the two shared the court once again. This time around, they were donning the same colors, playing for the Go for Gold Scratchers in the PBA D-League. And it’s something the two relished.
“Sobrang sarap kasi siyempre halos four years din kami magka-match up sa UAAP. Napag-usapan nga namin ito nung last December na pareho kaming team na lalaruan kaso nga hindi siya nag-D-League kaya hindi na natuloy,” disclosed Desiderio, as Dennison was not available during the Aspirants’ Cup.
“Masaya makalaro ulit si Paul after ilang taon din pagtapos namin sa UV. Kahit naman magkalaban kami sa UAAP for years, magkaibigan pa rin kami,” shared Dennison.
“Nakakatuwa lang din makita ang improvement ng bawat isa sa amin mula pa nung high school at naishe-share namin yun dalawa sa team.”
Last Monday, Desiderio played his final game for Go for Gold, as he had to return to UP. Dennison was not around as he was nursing a muscle strain.
Though the two were not able to play together for one last time, at least they were able to rekindle their friendship that will last a lifetime.
“Mas lalong tumatag yung pagiging magkaibigan namin,” closed Desiderio.
