HARDCOURT CHAMPS. Players of U-Freight celebrate after they bagged the championship trophy in the 2016 LGC Basketball Tournament last Saturday at the Villas Magallanes Gym in Barangay Basak, Lapu-Lapu City. The team’s players include Rashid Tacocong, Nino Tacocong, Jerry Jaca, Jericho Lawas, Ringostar Saavedra,, Jing Sumalinog, Ronnie Ruiz, Raymond Migabon, Llowelyn Lato, Odelio Bejoc, Rico Igot, Michael Docena and Roger De Guzman. (CONTRIBUTED)
Desiderio hopes mythical five selection will inspire fellow Cebuano cagers
Cebuano wingman Paul Desiderio is hopeful that his recent success in the UAAP, where he was named part of the prestigious Mythical Five squad, will inspire his fellow basketball players from the south to pursue their dreams in the big city.
Desiderio is set to be named to the prestigious quintet after amassing 55.1429 statistical points off averages of 16.4 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists and a steal per game. In doing so, he became the first Cebuano to garner the honor since big man Greg Slaughter did it on consecutive seasons while playing for Ateneo.
“It’s an honor to be given this award which until now I still can’t believe,” said the Liloan-native in an exclusive talk with Cebu Daily News.
The former standout of the University of the Visayas (UV) Baby Lancers, who he led to the 2011 Cesafi juniors crown in a stunning upset of the loaded Ateneo de Cebu, said that despite the distinction, he’s main goal is still to bring the Fighting Maroons back to the Final Four.
“I want that before I leave UP, we’ll be able to make it to the Final Four.” he said.
The 6-foot-1 high-scoring guard also offered the award to the rest of the Cebuano basketball community and to those young players who are looking to take the next step in their careers.
“I hope this award will inspire my fellow Cebuanos. As long you have a dream and do well in everything you do, everything will slowly pay off. Just don’t give up,” he added.
Inclusion to Gilas
Meanwhile, reports surfaced about Desiderio’s inclusion into the Gilas Pilipinas pool after he attended the team’s launch in a gala on Monday night.
According to online reports, Desiderio and UP teammate Jett Manuel were named to the National Team.
However, Desiderio refuted the report and said that nothing has been put in paper yet.