The King Maroon
Circumstances prevented me from watching live the win-or-go home match between Adamson and UP the other day. Although results were already known thru the flood of messages and posts on social media, the game replay was still a joy to watch. Any way you look at the match, it was a title game in itself, both teams hungry for a Finals appearance after more than two decades.
Adamson and UP played well that no matter who prevailed, the Falcons and the Maroons deserve respect and congratulations for their grit and level of plays. I could just imagine the atmosphere inside the packed Araneta Coliseum with all the maroon and navy blue clad supporters erupting in cheers every time their teams score.
I started following the UAAP, particularly UP, because of Paul Desiderio. Not only was his father a childhood friend, I was one of their ninongs when Christine hypnotized and cast a spell on Abner to do a “for better or for worse” promise. Since then and maybe up to now, Abner’s eyes don’t stray away from her and their daughter Ina. Grabe naman pud ani. I’m “Papa” to Christine, Abner being Abner, we’re on a pet name basis.
Polgang he is called by people close to him. From a shy, skinny kid tagging along to his father’s summer league games with a small basketball in hand, Paul learned the basics of the game from the basketball clinics held by Edsel Vallena and former pro Teroy Albarillo.
There were the numerous kasadu-ay, ten pesos per player, sometimes for a liter or two of softdrinks on the sandlot courts and barangay courts. As his game progressed, it eventually brought Paul to the University of the Visayas and in between the CESAFI season, represented his hometown Liloan in congressional and provincial government sponsored tournaments. Those were the times when there was actually a CUP for ball sports. What we have now is just a cough. Ubo-ubo.
Through his tenure with UV, he became one of the pillars of the Baby Lancers and watched their title games together with my family with perennial opponents Ateneo de Cebu Magis Eagles. Yup, I watched the kid grow and develop into what he is now.
I was not privy to his college recruitment but sometimes Abner would tell me that he often get calls from NCAA and UAAP schools inquiring about Paul’s availability. A few coaches visited Cebu for a talk with father and son. Long story short, UP was it.
I was never an Isko but have cousins and close acquaintances who studied at UP and you may consider me a Maroon bandwagoner because when Paul graduates this April, I’m not so sure if I would be following the UAAP and UP as much as I did since the gloomy 0-14 season of 2013.
For the record, Paul was CESAFI Juniors MVP in 2011 when they faced off with Ateneo for the high school championships. Fate could smile on him seven years after. Facing the again Eagles for the title, this time for the collegiate crown, I won’t be surprised if he becomes the Finals MVP and bring back the glory of 1986. Another 32 years is a loooong wait.
Polgang will be leaving UP maybe for the greener pastures of the PBA but with his hustle, clutch plays and confidence, the humble and simple probinsyano, not Cardo, has cemented his legacy as Mr. Atin ‘To, the King Maroon.
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