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UAAP: 'Crunchman' Cabagnot hails UP hero Desiderio

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Camille B. Naredo, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2018/news/11/29/up.jpg"/><figcaption>Paul Desiderio is UP&#x27;s own &quot;Crunchman.&quot; Mark Demayo, <a href="https://sports.abs-cbn.com/uaap/basketball/photos">ABS-CBN News</a></figcaption></figure></div>MANILA, Philippines – Alex Cabagnot knows clutch when he sees it, and he sees it in Paul Desiderio.The San Miguel guard has served as a member of University of the Philippines&#x27; (UP) coaching staff for two seasons now, and he had a front-row seat on Wednesday when the Fighting Maroons snapped a 32-year drought and advanced to the UAAP Season 81 finals.It was an exceptionally hard-fought game, which saw UP squander a 16-point lead in the third quarter before pulling off a thrilling 89-87 triumph in overtime.&quot;For the UP community that has been supporting UP for longer than I have, I&#x27;m pretty sure that they are on cloud nine,&quot; said Cabagnot. &quot;It feels amazing for me, but it&#x27;s multiplied at a bigger magnitude to them.&quot;<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/11/28/18/at-long-last-up-fighting-maroons-top-adamson-for-1st-uaap-finals-trip-in-32-years">FULL STORY: UP Fighting Maroons top Adamson for 1st UAAP finals trip in 32 years</a></li></ul>The hero for UP on Wednesday was veteran guard Desiderio, he of &quot;Atin &#x27;to, papasok &#x27;to&quot; fame. Already a legend in the school for his clutch heroics over the past couple of seasons, Desiderio solidified his legacy by drilling the game-winning jumper with 6.6 seconds left.<figure class="op-interactive"><iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/sFjmjleEScw?enablejsapi=1" width="560"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div>Cabagnot, himself known as a big-time performer in the clutch, was impressed with Desiderio&#x27;s effort.&quot;Atin &#x27;to! What can I say,&quot; said Cabagnot, who earned the nickname &quot;Crunchman&quot; for his penchant for hitting crucial buckets for the Beermen.&quot;He&#x27;s a very soft-spoken and a happy-go-lucky guy. But when it&#x27;s crunch time, he&#x27;s assertive. That&#x27;s the only thing I could ask for,&quot; he added.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://sports.abs-cbn.com/uaap/news/2018/11/29/uaap-akhuetie-credits-magical-season-81-run-team-effort-50447">READ: Akhuetie credits magical Season 81 run to team effort</a></li></ul>Cabagnot said he does not even need to give any instructions to Desiderio come the closing stretch. &quot;He just knows it,&quot; he added.&quot;In his mind, he is trying to carry the whole UP community on his shoulders, and I think he did a great job today,&quot; he also said.Desiderio certainly did Cabagnot proud with his final bucket – an tough jumper over the outstretched arms of Adamson University forward Sean Manganti. &quot;The play before that, I wanted him to shoot it, and he looked at me. I don&#x27;t really have a lot to say to him. We just looked at each other and he knew that I wanted him to take that. I&#x27;m blessed that he made it,&quot; said Cabagnot.Desiderio finished the game with 16 points, making his last two field goals after going 2-of-18 from the field prior to the final minute of overtime.It&#x27;s not just Desiderio that Cabagnot is proud of. The SMB guard hailed the entire UP back court, including Juan Gomez de Liano, Janjan Jaboneta, and Jun Manzo – all of whom had their moments to shine against Adamson. Gomez de Liano, in particular, fired a career-high 30 points. &quot;They are hard-working. Their work ethic is way beyong their years. Usually players, they feel that they have to work hard later,&quot; said Cabagnot. &quot;These kids though know that now is the time. They are trying to better themselves. We&#x27;re just guiding them, they do all the work,&quot; he added.&quot;All those guys get to the gym and get their shots up. It&#x27;s such a fun environment to be in and I&#x27;m glad to be a part of it.&quot;For more sports coverage, visit the <a href="http://sports.abs-cbn.com">ABS-CBN Sports website</a>.

Alex Cabagnot knows clutch when he sees it, and he sees it in Paul Desiderio.

UAAP: 'Crunchman' Cabagnot hails UP hero Desiderio

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UAAP: 'Crunchman' Cabagnot hails UP hero Desiderio

Camille B. Naredo,

ABS-CBN News

Published Nov 29, 2018 03:45 PM PHT

Read More:

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basketball

Ateneo-UP

UP Fighting Maroons

Paul Desiderio

Alex Cabagnot

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