Desiderio cites lack of familiarity with Go for Gold despite solid debut

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Paul Desiderio admitted that his unfamiliarity with Go for Gold showed in its 88-91 defeat to Wangs Basketball-Letran on Monday in the 2018 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup.

“We fell short in the end,” he said. “I’m still feeling my way with my teammates because I’m just practicing with them for two days. I’m still adjusting.”

The Scratchers mounted a belated rally from 15 points down, 79-64, midway through the payoff period and got to within one, 89-88 with 11.4 seconds remaining, before faltering in the end game as Desiderio lost the leather and forced Justin Gutang to heave the desperation three at the buzzer.

Still, it was a solid return for Desiderio, who finished with 15 points on a 3-of-7 shooting from three, while also grabbing two rebounds and two blocks.

The arrival of the UP scorer to the Go for Gold lair may seem like a match made in heaven given the circumstances between the two parties.

Since Kent Salado’s MCL injury in the first game of the conference, the Scratchers have been hell-bent in finding someone to bolster their guard rotation late in the eliminations.

Luckily for Go for Gold, UP coach Bo Perasol gave Desiderio the green light to see action in the developmental league as he seeks “to gain more experience,” something which he hopes to get in this foray with Go for Gold.

“This is my last season in UP and I feel that I still lack in experience. So I’m happy that coach Bo and the management allowed me to play,” he said.

With two games remaining in their schedule, the Scratchers are still on the outside looking in when it comes to the playoffs.

Desiderio very well knows how tough the task is, but he is keeping his fingers crossed that this partnership of his with fellow “23-for-23” cadet J-Jay Alejandro and ex-pro Jerwin Gaco will eventually bear fruits and reward them with a spot in the quarterfinals.

“We’ll continue to fight. As long as there’s a chance, we’ll take it,” he said.

Go for Gold wraps up its eliminations assignment against Zark’s Burger-Lyceum next Monday and against AMA Online Education on April 2.