Paul Desiderio shakes the hand of Blackwater team manager Joel Co after signing his three-year contract./CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Cebuano Paul Desiderio signs three-year max contract with Blackwater
Cebuano wingman Paul Desiderio expressed both disbelief and relief as he was finally signed to a three-year rookie max contract by the Blackwater Elite on Thursday afternoon.
The contract took a while to materialize as the trade involving Desiderio and fellow draftee Abu Tratter for former Blackwater big man Poy Erram only got approved by the PBA office a few days ago.
Nevertheless, the pride of Liloan was appreciative of the trust that is being shown to him by the Elite’s brass headed by team manager, Joel Co, himself a Cebuano who bore witness to Desiderio’s growth as a basketball player from his days in the Cesafi, donning the University of the Visayas’ green and white.
“Of course, I’m happy they gave me three years. They really gave me a chance to perform,” said Desiderio, who signed the contract at the Reyes Gym in Mandaluyong City.
“I’m really grateful for the three years. I really didn’t expect that they’d give me a contract that long,” added the 6-foot wingman who was picked fourth overall by the NLEX Road Warriors before being traded right after the draft.
With his contract finally locked up, Desiderio is now looking forward to working with incumbent stars Mac Belo, Allein Maliksi and fellow Cesafi product, Raymar Jose, to try and bring the Elite to new heights.
“I don’t really feel pressured but I assure then that I’ll give my best in every game.”