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UAAP finals: Paul Desiderio journey classic story of ‘imposible naging posible’

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Karl Cedrick Basco, 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/12/06/20181206_uaap2.jpg"/><figcaption>Paul Desiderio will always be remembered by the UP community for instilling the &quot;Atin &#x27;to&quot; mentality in his team. George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News</figcaption></figure></div>Paul Desiderio could have left Diliman after his first season in 2013, when the squad posted a forgettable winless campaign.Six years later, the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons forward said farewell to the team on the finals stage and with a championship within his reach.According to Desiderio, who capped his collegiate career with 15 points in a losing effort in Game 2 of the UAAP Season 81 finals on Wednesday, it was patience that made him stay, eventually leading UP to its best league finish in 32 years.&quot;Magpasensya kasi ikaw, player ka from Cebu, 0-14 ang start mo, ine-expect mo lilipat talaga ng school pero nagpasensya lang ako. Tinitiis ko, one win kahit na parang mukha na kaming loko, pag-graduate ko naman finals,&quot; Desiderio told reporters after Game 2.The Ateneo Blue Eagles overwhelmed the Fighting Maroons 99-81 to sweep the title series and defend their UAAP title.Desiderio also learned during his stay at UP to live up to their team nickname — to fight and never give up.&quot;Think positive lang parati na kahit na &#x27;yung nawawala na kami. &#x27;Yun ang problema namin dati sa UP, nilalamangan na kami, nawawalan na kami ng gana at tuloy-tuloy na &#x27;yun. Happy naman ako na nabago &#x27;yun,&quot; Desiderio said.Despite the loss, Desiderio was thankful for what UP achieved this year, citing the expectations the Fighting Maroons exceeded.He even recalled how they almost missed the final-4 this year, and how the &quot;Atin &#x27;to&quot; spirit kept pushing them forward.&quot;Masaya pa rin kasi nakaabot kami ng finals. Wala naman mag-e-expect na dumating kami rito. Medyo delikado nga kami nu&#x27;ng una sa final 4. &#x27;Yung imposible naging posible,&quot; Desiderio revealed.The face of &quot;Atin &#x27;To&quot;, meanwhile, hopes a huge crowd continues to flock to the venues next season to support the Fighting Maroons.&quot;Sobrang happy, kasi nu&#x27;ng 2013, ang nanonood sa&#x27;kin iilan-ilan lang. Pero kanina paglabas ko, wow ang dami. Sana next year ganun pa rin. Sana wag silang magsawang suportahan kami,&quot; Desiderio added.For more sports coverage, visit the ABS-CBN <a href="http://sports.abs-cbn.com" target="_blank">Sports website.</a>

All the misery Paul Desiderio had endured playing for the once hard-luck Fighting Maroons was swept away by one fairy-tale season at Diliman.

All the misery Paul Desiderio had endured playing for the once hard-luck Fighting Maroons was swept away by one fairy-tale season at Diliman.

UAAP finals: Paul Desiderio journey classic story of ‘imposible naging posible’

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UAAP finals: Paul Desiderio journey classic story of ‘imposible naging posible’

Karl Cedrick Basco,

ABS-CBN News

Published Dec 06, 2018 08:03 AM PHT

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Updated Dec 06, 2018 10:17 AM PHT

Read More:

Ateneo-UP

UAAP Season 81

UAAP finals

UAAP men's basketball

Ateneo de Manila University

Ateneo Blue Eagles

Ateneo

ADMU

Blue Eagles

UP

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