The Blackwater Elite absorbed a stinging 115-109 defeat in the hands of NLEX on Sunday in the 2019 PBA Governors Cup in Santa Rosa, Laguna. Still, coach Aris Dimaunahan is looking at the silver linings.
For one, there’s the breakout game of rookie Paul Desiderio.
The University of the Philippines product had his best game to date as a pro. He finished with 24 points built on six three-pointers on top four rebounds and four assists in over 31 minutes.
Desiderio’s previous career-high was just half of his recent output. He set it in the 2019 Philippine Cup last February 1, in the Elite’s 114-95 defeat to the Phoenix Pulse Fuel Masters.
“There were also a lot of positives tonight. One is Paul Desiderio, with a breakout game for him here in the PBA. The guy works hard on both ends of the floor,” said Dimaunahan.
“He’s a welcome addition to our scheme of things.”
The Cebuano guard was the most efficient player for Blackwater, with a net rating of plus-13. Dimaunahan even said that Desiderio might be given more playing time soon.
“Most definitely kasi siyempre sa’min naman, kung sino nagtatrabaho, siya ang rerewardan eh,” he said.
Still, Dimaunahan hopes Desiderio won’t rest on his laurels. And he’s also hoping that the rest of the Elite will keep working, as hard as they can now that they are 0-2 in the conference.
“He [should not] to stop there,” said the former pro.
“Kailangan pa rin niya magtrabaho sa game, individually siya and kami as a team para mas gumanda yung chances namin next game.”
