‘Gagawin ko lahat’ for UP in final year, says Paul Desiderio

Someone from Diliman was waxing hot on a Wednesday afternoon as the UP Fighting Maroons defeated the FEU Tamaraws, 95-82.

That guy was Paul Desiderio, who listed a career-high 31 points and converted seven of his nine three-point attempts.

Desiderio scored 18 of UP's 37-points during the first quarter, making six out of six three-point attempts.

"Di ko na iniisip 'yung six out of six. Gusto ko, manalo lang talaga," Desiderio said.

Paul Desiderio listed a career-high 31 points and converted seven of his nine three-point attempts on Wednesday afternoon as the UP Fighting Maroons defeated the FEU Tamaraws, 95-82. Photo: Justin Kenneth Carandang

Desiderio said he gets his motivation from the UP community and their head coach, Bo Perasol, adding that he wants to end his final playing year on a happy note.

"Unang-una lagi kong iniisip, binigyan ako ni Coach Bo ng chance na maglaro sa UP. Naisip ko nung last game namin, naisip ko na dapat na talaga ako mag-step up kasi gusto kong mabigyan si Coach Bo ng masayang ending ko so gagawin ko lahat. I've prepared, lahat ginawa ko para lang masuklian si Coach Bo sa last year ko," Desiderio said.

He admitted that he had a tough time finding his groove during the first round of the season, but he hopes that he is now over with it. "Mahirap kasi every day nagsho-shooting ako, extra work, pero ganun talaga e. Ngayon medyo nakuha ko na. Hopefully nakuha ko na talaga."

With most of the teams still trying to make it to the Final Four, Desiderio said they'll take things one step at a time. "One game at a time, abangan n'yo na lang." — BM, GMA News