Desiderio’s game-winning trey beat FEU for share of fourth spot
By Maxine Louise Lagman
28 October 2017
Paul Desiderio once again nailed a clutch to escape the Far Eastern University, 59-56, Saturday to force a tie at the fourth place in the UAAP Season 80 men’s basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Knocking down a booming triple over Ron Dennison in the last second left in the game, Desiderio pushed the Fighting Maroons to tie with the Tamaraws with an identical 5-6 record.
With second year UP coach Bo Perasol, it is the first time UP was able to defeat FEU since UAAP Season 74 in 2011.
“Laki ng pakiusap ni Paolo Romero na in his seven years in UP, hindi pa niya natatalo ang FEU, so we did it for him,” said Perasol.
“Paul also made sure na babawi siya kay Dennison with regards to the defense. Kaya sa end game, he was able to limit Dennison to just nine points,” added Perasol as Dennison only finished with nine points on a 4-for-13 shooting.
FEU outscored UP in the third period after a 22-5 run, but UP fought their way back and answered with a 17-4 run to gain a 56-53 lead in the last 38 ticks in the game.
Jasper Parker shot a booming triple from the FEU end to tie the game at 56-all, 32.9 seconds left. However, Desiderio threw his game-winning triple at the last 1.1 second mark to give UP the win.
Desiderio had a game-high 15 points on a horrid 6-of-23 shooting along with five rebounds, while Ibrahim Outtara hauled down 15 rebounds on top of his 10 markers and two blocks.
Parker led FEU with 13 points, eight rebounds and five assists.
