Paul Desiderio
No. 18 – Blackwater Bossing | |
---|---|
Position | Shooting guard |
League | PBA |
Personal information | |
Born | Liloan, Cebu, Philippines | February 2, 1997
Nationality | Filipino |
Listed height | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) |
Listed weight | 168 lb (76 kg) |
Career information | |
High school | University of the Visayas |
College | University of the Philippines (2013, 2015–2018) |
PBA draft | 2018 Round: 1 / Pick: 4th overall |
Selected by the NLEX Road Warriors | |
Playing career | 2018–present |
Career history | |
2018–present | Blackwater Elite/Bossing |
Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Andres Paul Desiderio (born February 2, 1997) is a Filipino professional basketball player for the Blackwater Bossing of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).[1][2] He was also a former collegiate star player for the UP Fighting Maroons.
Early life and high school career[]
Desiderio was born in Liloan, Cebu.[3] Desiderio went to his father's summer league games and learned the basics of the game from the basketball clinics held every summer by Edsel Vallena and former pro Teroy Albarillo.[3]
Desiderio played for the University of the Visayas Baby Lancers (UV) of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) in high school.[4] He became Juniors MVP and made it to the Finals in 2011 against the Sacred Heart School – Ateneo de Cebu Magis Eagles.[3] In Game 2, he and future Blackwater Bossing teammate Ron Dennison scored the final eight points to secure the win, with Desiderio finishing with 18 points.[5] He also played in the CESAFI All-Star Games that year.[6]
In 2012, he was given a citation by the Sportswriter's Association of Cebu (SAC).[7]
He played in the 2013 SEAOIL NBTC Games, which showcases many players from various high schools around the country.[8]
College career[]
Dark days (2013–2014)[]
After his high school years, he joined the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons.[4] His first season was Season 76.[9] They finished that season 0–14.[10] It was also during this time that he considered transferring to the FEU Tamaraws.[11]
Desiderio didn't play in Season 77 because of his commitments to play in the FIBA U17 World Championship for Men and the Fiba-Asia U18 Championship that year.[12][13] He also skipped that season to focus on his studies.[14] Despite his absence, the Maroons won their first game in two years.[15]
Slow return to relevance (2015–2016)[]
In the preseason, Desiderio and the Maroons won the Filsports Basketball Association (FBA) championship.[16] That momentum carried over to their first game of Season 78, which they won, 62–55, against the UE Red Warriors.[17] They captured their second straight win in a row against the DLSU Green Archers, 71–66, with Desiderio scoring 13 points.[18] After that start, they lost their next five games, sending them to 7th place.[19] They were able to bounce back with a win against the Adamson Soaring Falcons.[19] They unfortunately finished the season 3–11, which was still better than its combined record from the past two UAAP seasons.[20] In his final game of the season, Desiderio put up 26 points and 6 rebounds.[20]
The next season, Desiderio had a new head coach in Bo Perasol.[21] In their first game of Season 79, Desiderio had 24 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists, but still lost due to rookie guard Jerrick Ahanmisi's debut of 28 points on 6-of-7 threes.[22] They got their first win of the season against UE with him scoring 17 points.[23] After a win against the Ateneo Blue Eagles, he scored 16 points in another win against Adamson.[24] He almost had a triple-double in a win against the UST Growling Tigers, with 16 points, 13 rebounds, and 7 assists.[25] Unfortunately, they finished with a record of 5–9, missing the playoffs, but still their best outing since 2006.[26] Desiderio became the first UP basketball player since Marvin Cruz to be named to the UAAP Mythical Five.[27] His averages for that season were 15.4 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 2.6 assists.[27]
'Atin to' and return to Finals (2017–2018)[]
After playing for Café France in the off-season, Desiderio improved as a shooter.[28] The Maroons also won two offseason tournaments.[29] Expectations were high for him and the Maroons to finally make the Final Four.[30] In their first game of Season 80, UST led 73–71 with 5.3 seconds left.[31] He was heard by a live television audience saying "Atin 'to. Papasok 'to (This is ours. It will go in)," as Coach Perasol encouraged him to take the shot if he was open.[31] He then hit the game-winning triple with 1.4 seconds left, 74–73.[32] He finished that game with 17 points on only 6-of-20 shooting including 2-of-11 on threes.[32] "Atin 'To" became the rallying cry for the team and for its fans.[33] A loss to Ateneo dropped them to 1–1.[34] He had a then career-high 28 points to go along with his 10 rebounds to tow UP past UE.[35] He broke that career-high the next game with 30 points over previous champion La Salle.[36] For that, he won his first UAAP Player of the Week.[36] FEU then held him to 9 points, with his former teammate Ron Dennison getting most of the credit.[37] But in their next matchup, he hit another game-winning triple, giving UP a 5–6 record.[38] A win against the National University Bulldogs kept their Final Four hopes alive, but a win by FEU over Adamson eliminated them from contention.[39] His averages for that season were 16.6 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.2 assists.[40]
Desiderio returned for his final year in Season 81.[41] They started the season 1–3,[42] then went 3–5.[14] In a win against FEU, he finished with a new career-high of 31 points on 7-of-9 from three.[43] A 97–81 win against La Salle ended their 21-year absence from the Final Four.[44] Their first matchup in the Final Four was against Adamson, who held a twice-to-beat advanage over them, and had beaten twice that season.[44] In Game 1, he had 19 points, but it was teammate import Bright Akhuetie who won the game for UP, 73–71.[45] In Game 2, Adamson sent the game into overtime.[46] But with six seconds remaining, Desiderio hit a three over Sean Manganti for UP to win 89–87.[46][47] The win sent UP to their first Finals since 1986.[46] In the Finals, they faced Ateneo.[48] Unfortunately, Ateneo swept them in the best-of-three Finals.[49] He averaged 13.7 points, 6.2 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 1.3 steals in his final year.[49] He was also named to the All-Collegiate Team.[50] Desiderio was seen as a cult hero[51] and one of the biggest contributors to the renaissance of UP's basketball program.[52] After that season, he then declared for the PBA draft.[49]
Professional career[]
PBA D-League[]
Desiderio played for Café France in the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup.[53] His team lost in the semifinals.[54] In 2018, he played for Go for Gold.[55] His team won the D-League Foundation Cup in 5 games.[56]
2018 PBA Draft[]
Desiderio was drafted 4th overall by the NLEX Road Warriors, surprising many.[57] Days after the draft, he was then sent to the Blackwater Elite along with Michael Miranda and Abu Tratter for big man Papot Paredes and a second round pick in a three team trade with the TNT Katropa.[58]
Blackwater Elite[]
In his first game for the Elite, Desiderio debuted with just five points on 2-of-6 shooting in a 117–91 loss to the Northport Batang Pier.[59] Despite scoring just 2 points in a loss to Meralco, he had 9 rebounds.[60] He had 12 points (9 in the fourth) in a loss to the Phoenix Fuel Masters in the 2019 Philippine Cup.[61] He played in the Rookie-Sophomores vs Juniors game and scored 12 points.[62] In the 2019 Governor's Cup, he had a PBA career-high of 24 points with 6 three-pointers in a 115–109 loss to NLEX.[63]
He missed most of the 2020 Philippine Cup due to a grave leg muscle sprain and left the PBA bubble.[64]
PBA career statistics[]
Legend | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
GP | Games played | GS | Games started | MPG | Minutes per game |
FG% | Field-goal percentage | 3P% | 3-point field-goal percentage | FT% | Free-throw percentage |
RPG | Rebounds per game | APG | Assists per game | SPG | Steals per game |
BPG | Blocks per game | PPG | Points per game | Bold | Career high |
As of the end of 2021 season[65]
Season-by-season averages[]
Year | Team | GP | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2019 | Blackwater | 31 | 16.3 | .369 | .286 | .667 | 2.7 | 1.2 | .4 | .1 | 4.5 |
2020 | 5 | 13.5 | .667 | .571 | .200 | 3.6 | .2 | .4 | - | 5.0 | |
2021 | 21 | 17.6 | .362 | .235 | .526 | 2.7 | .9 | .3 | .1 | 5.7 | |
Career | 57 | 16.5 | .381 | .275 | .569 | 2.8 | 1.0 | .4 | .1 | 5.0 |
National team career[]
Desiderio first played for the Philippines in the 2013 FIBA Asia U16 Championship for Men.[66] He averaged 11 points and nearly 7 rebounds a game as the team made it all the way to the Finals, qualifying them for next year's 2014 FIBA Under-17 World Championship.[66][67] In the U17 Championship, he averaged 10 points, 4.7 rebounds and nearly 3 assists in the tournament, highlighted by 25 points, 7 rebounds and 5 rebounds in their lone win against the United Arab Emirates (UAE).[1] In the Asian U18 Championship, he averaged 11.4 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.4 assists.[68]
Desiderio was also named to the "23-for-2023" pool, which was composed of young players for the 2023 FIBA World Cup.[69]
Personal life[]
Desiderio was engaged to Jean Agatha Uvero, a former courtside reporter for UP.[70] They have a son, Juan Andres.[71]
Desiderio has several successful business ventures. He has his own Chooks-to-Go branch and he and his wife opened a franchise of Kurimi Milk Tea Bar.[72]
References[]
- ^ a b "Andres Paul DESIDERIO at the FIBA U17 World Championship for Men 2014". FIBA.basketball. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
- ^ "Paul Desiderio – Players | PBA – The Official Website". pba.ph. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
- ^ a b c Motus, Bobby (December 6, 2018). "Paul Desiderio: the King Fighting Maroon". www.panaynews.net. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ a b Panerio, Jonas (April 2, 2013). "Cebuano Desiderio to join Maroons in UAAP". inquirer.net. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
- ^ "uv green lancers – Sportspinas". Retrieved January 13, 2022.
- ^ Malagar, Gabby G. "CESAFI All-Star Games this pm". Philstar.com. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
- ^ Pages, Mike (February 23, 2012). "THE 30TH SAC-SMC CEBU SPORTS AWARDS". Sun Star Newspaper. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
- ^ "SEAOIL |". www.seaoil.com.ph. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
- ^ Terrado, Reuben (June 24, 2013). "Lucky 13 as La Salle parades shorthanded roster in UAAP 76". Spin.ph. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Only an aggressive recruitment program can revive Maroons, says UP great Paras". Spin.ph. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
- ^ Panerio, Jonas. "UP Maroons hero Paul Desiderio admits he thought about transfer to FEU". Spin.ph. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Terrado, Reuben (June 7, 2014). "Backcourt trio to miss UP Maroons games owing to PH youth team commitment". Spin.ph. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Terrado, Reuben (August 31, 2015). "Paul Desiderio looking forward to return stint as he expects to play bigger role for UP". Spin.ph. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ a b Sarmenta, Yoyo (November 15, 2018). "Paul Desiderio's sacrifice pays off for UP community". ESPN.com. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "UP ends two-year losing skid with rout of Adamson". RAPPLER. August 9, 2014. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
- ^ News, G. M. A. "Winning Maroons: UP bags inaugural FBA basketball championship". GMA News Online. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
- ^ Palaña, Javier (September 8, 2015). "New season, new beginnings". University of the Philippines. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Palaña, Javier (September 9, 2015). "UPset". University of the Philippines Diliman. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ a b Bracher, Jane. "UP Fighting Maroons mid-season team building puts them back on track". Rappler. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
- ^ a b "UE ends season on high note after beating UP". RAPPLER. November 18, 2015. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
- ^ Bracher, Jane (May 2, 2016). "Bo Perasol named UP Fighting Maroons coach". RAPPLER. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Rookie Ahanmisi soars in record-setting debut as Adamson trips UP". RAPPLER. September 4, 2016. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
- ^ Del Rosario, Paolo (September 21, 2016). "UAAP: Manuel, Desiderio push Fighting Maroons past UE for maiden Season 79 win". cnn. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Manliguis, Ricky (October 12, 2016). "Maroons slip past Falcons, record third win". www.dugout.ph. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Li, Matthew (November 6, 2016). "UP ends decade-long futility to UST". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
- ^ Li, Matthew (November 13, 2016). "UE spoils UP's Seniors Night". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
- ^ a b Terrado, Reuben (December 7, 2016). "Paul Desiderio is first Maroon in a decade to make Mythical Five, but he eyes bigger prize for UP". Spin.ph. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Terrado, Reuben (February 28, 2017). "UP slasher Paul Desiderio thanks Cafe France coach for adding deadly shooting to his arsenal". Spin.ph. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Terrado, Reuben (April 11, 2017). "Bo Perasol says preseason titles proof UP Maroons starting to build a winning culture". Spin.ph. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Lozada, Mei-Lin (September 7, 2017). "UAAP Preview: UP looks to build on gains as Maroons ready to make Final Four dream a reality". Spin.ph. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ a b Jacinto, Chrisian (September 10, 2017). "Paul Desiderio earns praise from Maroons coach Bo Perasol for audacious play in season-opening thriller". Spin.ph. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ a b "Paul Desiderio hits last-gasp triple to lift UP Maroons to victory over UST Tigers". Spin.ph. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
- ^ News, JUSTIN KENNETH CARANDANG, GMA. "'Atin 'To': Paul Desiderio's trademark mantra that brought UP upwards". GMA News Online. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
- ^ Jacinto, Chrisian (September 13, 2017). "Ateneo takes fight out of UP with late blitz as Blue Eagles start Season 80 with back-to-back wins". Spin.ph. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Jacinto, Chrisian (September 17, 2017). "Paul Desiderio finds range to give UP big boost ahead of tough stretch against title contenders". Spin.ph. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ a b "With 30-point game that powered UP past La Salle, Paul Desiderio earns UAAP Player of the Week nod". Spin.ph. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
- ^ Terrado, Reuben (October 1, 2017). "Paul Desiderio says Ron Dennison deserves credit for solid defense as FEU downs UP". Spin.ph. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Paul Desiderio hits last-second triple to cap UP Maroons rally against FEU Tamaraws". Spin.ph. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
- ^ Marquez, CJ (November 11, 2017). "UAAP: FEU books last Final Four spot at Adamson's expense, 71–54". cnn. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Panerio, Jonas (November 23, 2017). "Unfinished business enough reason for Paul Desiderio to stay on at UP Maroons". Spin.ph. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Paul Desiderio set to return for final year with UP Fighting Maroons in UAAP Season 81". Spin.ph. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
- ^ Jacinto, Chrisian (September 27, 2018). "Paul Desiderio says UP Maroons just haven't found the rhythm". Spin.ph. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Jacinto, Chrisian (October 24, 2018). "UAAP: Resurgent Desiderio torches FEU as UP makes it back-to-back". Spin.ph. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ a b Panerio, Jonas (November 16, 2018). "Cesafi products play key roles in UP-La Salle Final Four matchup". Spin.ph. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Jacinto, Chrisian (November 24, 2018). "Akhuetie turns from zero to hero as UP nips Adamson to force semis decider". Spin.ph. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ a b c Li, Matthew (November 28, 2018). "Atin 'To: Paul Desiderio not to be denied as UP ends 32-year Finals drought". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
- ^ "Clutch recognizes clutch: Cabagnot full of praise for Desiderio guts". Spin.ph. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
- ^ Jacinto, Chrisian (November 30, 2018). "For casual fans, here's what you need to know about the UAAP Finals". Spin.ph. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ a b c Leongson, Randolph B. (December 5, 2018). "Paul Desiderio adds depth to PBA rookie draft as he bares post-college plans". Spin.ph. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Bolick, Ravena headline Mythical Five in Collegiate Press Corps awards". Spin.ph. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
- ^ Leongson, Randolph B. (December 13, 2018). "Desiderio admits UP Maroons fame boosted his PBA Draft stock". Spin.ph. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Leongson, Randolph B. (December 6, 2018). "Paul Desiderio filled with joy over rise from zero to hero at UP". Spin.ph. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Li, Matthew (December 7, 2016). "Café France adds UP's Desiderio, Baste's Calisaan". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
- ^ Ballesteros, Jan (March 28, 2017). "Fatigue catches up with Paul Desiderio as Cafe France falls just short of D-League finals". Spin.ph. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Leongson, Randolph B. (June 1, 2018). "Marinerong Pilipino adds depth to rejigged D-League side, aims to go all the way". Spin.ph. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Leongson, Randolph B. (August 24, 2018). "Desiderio hoping to translate D-League success to UAAP with UP". Spin.ph. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Terrado, Reuben (December 16, 2018). "Guiao explains decision to draft Desiderio at No. 4: 'My type of guy'". Spin.ph. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Ramos, Gerry (December 21, 2018). "Miranda goes to TnT under revised Blackwater-NLEX trade for Poy Erram". Spin.ph. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Panerio, Jonas (January 17, 2019). "Rookie Desiderio gets reality check with meager PBA debut in Blackwater loss". Spin.ph. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Li, Matthew (January 19, 2019). "Nico Salva takes over late as Meralco deals Blackwater second loss". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
- ^ Terrado, Reuben (February 1, 2019). "Blackwater coach says 'gutsy, two-way player' Desiderio belongs in PBA". Spin.ph. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Bacnis, Justine (March 29, 2019). "Javee Mocon beats buzzer as Rookies-Sophomores get one over Juniors". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
- ^ Bacnis, Justine (September 29, 2019). "Paul Desiderio's career game one of the positives in Blackwater loss, says Dimaunahan". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
- ^ Li, Matthew (November 3, 2020). "Desiderio out of PBA bubble due to injury as Belo also misses SMB game". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
- ^ [1] Real GM
- ^ a b "archive.fiba.com: Players". archive.fiba.com. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
- ^ News, G. M. A. "Philippines settles for silver as China tops FIBA Asia U16 tourney". GMA News Online. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
- ^ "Paul Desiderio profile, FIBA Asia U18 Championship for Men 2014". FIBA.COM. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
- ^ Leongson, Randolph B. (July 30, 2020). "Whatever happened to the players in Gilas '23 for '23' pool?". Spin.ph. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Reyes, Kate (November 9, 2019). "#UtakPuso: Paul Desiderio now engaged to former UP courtside reporter". Spin.ph. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Reyes, Kate (April 29, 2021). "Paul Desiderio, Agatha Uvero welcome baby boy". Spin.ph. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Neil (July 15, 2020). "PBA young gun Paul Desiderio finding his footing in business". BusinessWorld Online. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
External links[]
- 1997 births
- Living people
- Basketball players from Cebu
- Blackwater Bossing players
- Filipino men's basketball players
- NLEX Road Warriors draft picks
- Shooting guards
- University of the Visayas alumni
- UP Fighting Maroons men's basketball players