Desiderio steps up in crunch time to lift UP over UST

MANILA, Philippines – (UPDATED) After struggling with his shot all throughout the game, Paul Desiderio delivered for the University of the Philippines (UP) when they needed it most against the University of Santo Tomas (UST).

With the fancied Fighting Maroons trailing 71-73, with just 5.3 seconds left, Desiderio personally took charge as he called for the ball during the timeout. He walked the talk, sinking the go-ahead triple with 1.4 seconds to go.

UP's Paul Desiderio drives to the basket against UST. Josh Albelda, ABS-CBN Sports

UST had one last chance left, but Jeepy Faundo's heave from beyond the arc hit the back iron, and the Fighting Maroons escaped with the hard-earned 74-73 victory in their very first game of the UAAP Season 80 men's basketball tournament on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

"Ang dami ko nang tinira, mahihiya pa ba ako, eh last shot na?" said Desiderio, who was only 1-of-10 from beyond the arc before his game-winner.

"Hindi ko alam how he does that, but during the timeout, he called it. Sabi niya, papasok ito. Mananalo tayo, papasok itong tira na ito," said UP coach Bo Perasol after the game.

Author: Camille B. Naredo, ABS-CBN News
Full Article: http://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/09/10/17/uaap-desiderio-steps-up-in-crunch-time-to-lift-up-over-ust