WITH the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 81 eliminations in its final stretch, the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons are keeping their fingers crossed about finally booking a Final Four seat this year. It has been an elusive semifinal slot for the Diliman-based team since the Paolo Mendoza-led squads of 1996 and 1997 last booked it.
“The last time UP made the Final Four was 21 years ago. I was just born then. If we make it to the semifinals we will make history. We have been working hard for this and we’re hoping to get a spot,” said UP Fighting Maroons team captain Paul Desiderio.
Playing his final UAAP season, the 6’0 shooting guard from Liloan, Cebu, has had his fair share of ups and downs while having “Unibersidad ng Pilipinas” inscribed on his jersey.
He was part of the 0-14 UP team in 2013, his rookie year, before missing UAAP Season 77. He was back in 2015 and won three out of 14 games.
Desiderio was part of the UP team that had three different coaches in three seasons before Coach Bo Perasol took over in 2016.
In Season 80, the UP team captain was clutch, leading the team in scoring while providing golden moments by draining two heroic ‘Atin ‘to’ three-pointers.
The Maroons though fell short in their Final Four quest with a 6-8 record.
Showing much improvement last season, UP supporters were hopeful in UAAP Season 81.
But after opening the current UAAP season with a huge win against the University of East Red Warriors, the Maroons’ resurgence tapered off.
They ended the first round of the eliminations with three wins and four losses, far from what they envisioned to have this year.
With UP sporting a 3-5 slate early in the second round, Desiderio was seen wearing a black shirt with “16 STRONG” written on the back. UP won that game against UE and snapped a two-game losing skid. They did it with a total team effort, working as 16 Strong.
“As their team captain, I let my teammates be themselves off the court but on the court I’m strict. I want everybody on the same page, ‘16 Strong,’” said Desiderio of the relationship he has with his teammates.
“Actually, ‘16 Strong’ started in training. Before the season started we were not sure if David [Murrell] will be able to play because of injuries. We prayed that everybody was healthy and able to play so we will be 16 Strong,” he added.
Desiderio went on to say that he is very proud of wearing the Maroon and White and thankful of the confidence and trust the school has given him.
“I’m proud to carry the school color. I appreciate what they have given me since I stepped on UP. Coach Ricky [Dandan] was the coach in 2013 and he personally went to UV (University of Visayas) to get me and play for the Maroons,” said Mr. Desiderio, who made a name for himself while at UV and was part of the youth national team which saw action at the 2013 FIBA Asia U-16 Championship.
Having seen the UP program take root and grow during his tenure with the team, Desiderio said he wants nothing more but to gift the Maroons a winning finish on his final year with at least a Final Four appearance.
“Jett [Manuel] started the winning culture for the team. He played his last collegiate playing year with us. That’s the same legacy that I want to leave the team, a winning attitude,” said Desiderio, referring to former UP captain Manuel who now plays in the Philippine Basketball Association with the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings.
Desiderio and the Maroons return to action today against the De La Salle University Green Archers in an important match that has a lot of playoff implications. The game is set for 4 p.m. at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City
Playing in the 2 p.m. opening game are the league-leading Ateneo Blue Eagles versus the already-eliminated University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers. — Myrhen Inovejas Jamo

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