I DON’T know what kind of operation University of the Philippines will employ in its surgical bid to redeploy its arsenal against Ateneo on Wednesday.
If we diagnose Saturday’s Game One, UP’s defeat was rooted on the outburst of Paul Desiderio just mere minutes after tip-off.
You are the team captain; you should be the last to lose your cool.
Your temper should be under check from beginning to end to give your team a chance, especially against such team as formidable as Ateneo.
Perhaps, not even an enemy’s elbow planted on your rib could be reason enough to derail a set mission.
Desiderio questioned, rather vehemently, a charging call slapped him and, in so doing, Ateneo was awarded a technical foul and a precious ball possession as well.
How many times has it been said that even if you dispute a referee’s whistle a million and one times, the call will stick like a barnacle?
If Marcos was a dictator for 14 years, basketball referees are dictators for life.
After his uncalled for eruption, Desiderio was practically never the same again.
Desiderio became from UP’s heart and soul to hurt and sour.
He played lost.
Half of his mind left the game.
He rarely fired three-pointers, his forte. His jumpers and penetrations were as rare as rain in summer.
In short, his focus got f---ed up.
By game’s end, Desiderio had only five points across his name.
Did he not unload almost 30 points just one game ago in what absolutely was his most colossal performance in five years as a Fighting Maroon, when he virtually single-handedly eliminated Adamson to power UP to the UAAP basketball Finals?
Still, Game Two on Wednesday will depend on Desiderio’s disposition, no matter what the pundits say.
Bo Perasol’s coaching scalpels will be put to the test in a much-anticipated Maoon fight back, with UP’s survival hinged on Desiderio bloodline.
There is no other way but revive the Desiderio drive.
As irreplaceable as the liver, Desiderio can only be UP’s saviour in Wednesday’s battle. He balks and Ateneo is champion again.
Will the real Desiderio reappear and force a Game Three decider?