The road will never be easy for the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons as they entered the best-of-three UAAP finals of knowing that they are not given a good chance against the mighty Ateneo Blue Eagles.
But for coach Bo Perasol, it’s worth a try.
And for team skipper Paul Desiderio, the confidence they got after 89-87 overtime triumph over the Adamson Falcons is keeping them going.
“No basketball aficionado in his right mind will give us a chance against Ateneo. But there’s something we can do, looking forward to that championship against Ateneo. And that’s the courage, the resilience, and the feeling that we need to keep moving and fighting no matter what the odds are,” said Perasol, who talked about the Fighting Maroons’ next mission after hurdling the Soaring Falcons in their Final Four rubber match in the 81st University Athletic Association of the Philippines men’s basketball tournament at the Araneta Coliseum last Wednesday.
“The road is not easy going here. You have to find the courage, the skills, the talent and the persistence to be in this place that we are enjoying right now. It’s not an easy journey. But it’s all worth it,” added Perasol.
Desiderio, the Cebuano standout, said the realization that the Fighting Maroons are in the finals is something that’s firing the team up.
“Sobrang saya, graduating na ako. Kaya anumang chance namin sa finals, nakakadala,” said Desiderio, who delayed his plans to join the PBA through the rookie draft to play one final season.
The 5’10” Desiderio took charge in the closing minutes of the overtime period, with the score tied at 87-all after Adamson’s Jerom Lastimosa made two foul shots.
With the clock winding down, Desiderio went one-on-one against the Falcons’ own clutch player Sean Manganti and made the biggest shot of his life, lifting the Maroons to the finals for the first time in 32 years.
“Atin ito,” said Desiderio, when he thought about what’s went through his mind on the basket.
Perasol said they had no play on that kind of shot that Desiderio made.
“Kapal ng mukha niya iyun. Walang play du’n. Nasa kanya iyun. Gusto niyang akuin,” said Perasol.
The Fighting Maroons will make their first finals appearance since 1986.
Back then, Eric Altamirano, Benjie Paras, Joey Guanio and Ronnie Magsanoc were among those who steered the Fighting Maroons to the crown under Joe Lipa as coach.