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[av_heading heading=’Desiderio last-minute 3 save UP from UST upset ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY ADRIAN STEWART CO
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MANILA – Paul Desiderio scored a game-winner to save University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons from an upset University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers tried to pull off in the UAAP Season 80 men’s basketball yesterday.
Trailing 71-73 following two free throws by Growling Tigers’ Marvin Lee with 5.3 seconds left in the final frame, Desiderio confidently pitched a trey that pushed Fighting Maroons ahead for good 74-73.
Desiderio finished with 18 points, including 2-of-11 shooting from the 3-point line, for Fighting Maroons, which tied National University Bulldogs and Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles for a 1-0 win-loss record.
“Buti na lang pumasok iyong 3-pointer. Matagal kong prinaktis (during the off-season) iyon,” said the Cebuano cager after the game at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. “Gusto rin naming ipakita na kayang mag-Final Four ng UP.”
Growling Tigers had a strong start, building an 11-4 lead on inside hits by Steve Akomo. But Fighting Maroons bounced back in the second quarter to snatch a 42-33 lead at the half.
Both teams exchanged leads in the second half. Fighting Maroons built a lead as high as 4 points but Growling Tigers quickly answered and managed to take the advantage 73-71 late in the game.
“Iyong unang objective talaga was to generate excitement from the UP community,” said Maroons head coach Bo Perasol. “The excitement is going to push the players for more wins. We’ve been losing for so long, so we need these kinds of wins.”
Lee finished with 20 points while Akomo and Jordan Sta. Ana added 15 and 11 points, respectively, for UST. Also losing their first games were University of the East Red Warriors and Adamson University Falcons./PN
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