Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 28) — A three-point bomb from Paul Desiderio in the final seconds of Saturday’s game rescued the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons yet again.
UP overcame the Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws, 59-56, in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 80 o at the Mall of Asia Arena.
“Siya lang ang tumira ng 5/22 na may kumpiyansa pa,” UP head coach Bo Perasol said of Desiderio. “Medyo may kakapalan talaga,” he added.
His heroics see UP tie the Maroons with a 5-6 win-loss record, effectively keeping the Fighting Maroons in the hunt for a Final Four berth.
After the final buzzer, Desiderio admitted that he was nervous ahead of the final shot given the importance of the game.
“Pag-nanalo kami, tie kami sa number four. So ‘yung kaba iba talaga,” Desiderio said. “Pero yung iniisip ko lang talaga, tabla o panalo na,” he added.
Maroons steal Tamaraws’ advantage until last buzzer
The Tamaraws started the brighter of the two sides, cradling a 18-14 advantage over the Fighting Maroons after the opening frame.
But the Diliman-based squad found a way to silence the FEU guns in the second quarter, and go on a red hot 13-0 rally to snatch a 24-18 advantage.
UP also limited the Tamaraws to only seven points before taking a 32-25 cushion into the halftime interval.
The Tamaraws would answer back in a hurry and used a Arvin Tolentino-inspired 19-0 rally, before grabbing a 47-37 lead before the payoff period.
The Fighting Maroons battled back in the final quarter, and finally took the lead through a Gelo Vito triple, 54-53, with 1:53 left to play.
Jun Manzo gave UP a 56-53 lead, but Jasper Parker quickly restored parity at 56-all with 32.9 ticks left in regulation.
With 6.2 seconds left to play, UP turned to Desiderio for their last shot once again.
The UP guard collected the ball from Manzo from the top of the three point arc, before dribbling toward the wing and shooting over the outstretched hands of Ron Dennison.
Desiderio’s effort swished the bottom of the net with 1.1 seconds left on the clock, leaving FEU with no chance to draw level themselves.
Desiderio paced UP with 15 markers, and was 5/22 from the field before hitting his game winning bucket.
FEU’s Parker led with 13 points, and Alvin Tolentino with 12 points in the Tamaraws’ valiant effort.
