Paul Desiderio embracing role as new UP skipper

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Named this season’s team captain of University of the Philippines, Paul Desiderio is taking the challenge head on as he leads the fight for the Maroons.

And with high expectations for UP this UAAP Season 80, Desiderio knows it’s not going to be an easy job.

“It’s tough, but coach Bo (Perasol) entrusted me with this role and as a leader, I have to be a good example for my teammates,” he said.

Perasol expects Desiderio’s leadership to not just manifest off the court but especially on it.

“Everybody knows that Paul is our go-to guy, so he has to anticipate the other team’s defensive schemes on him. But he shouldn’t surrender that mentality because he’ll be our number one option, whether I say it or not. At the same time, for him to be more effective, his teammates should also be efficient. The others should also be able to produce for us if teams double up Paul,” he said.

Knowing what Perasol is expecting of him, Desiderio is doing his part to be an efficient playmaker for UP.

“I’m working on being more of a team player. I know I’ll be a marked man and I won’t be able to cut that easily, so I really need to involve my team more and help them so I can create for our team,” he said.

The Cebuano guard is confident that with Perasol’s changes in the team since his arrival last year, the Fighting Maroons are ready to give a better showing this time as they gun to make it to the Final Four for the first time since 1997.

“The foundations are already there. We won five games last year, so the confidence on each other is present. We know we can compete and right now, there’s no more reason for us not to win,” said Desiderio.