ANTIPOLO – Blackwater coach Bong Ramos expects Paul Desiderio to have a long and distinguished career in the PBA, all because of his all-around game.
Desiderio is starting to back up tha claim.
The rookie forward finally showed a glimpse of what he's capable of on Friday night, scoring 12 points in Blackwater's 114-95 loss to unbeaten Phoenix in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Ynares Center.
Ramos said he was no longer surprised with the offensive outburst of Desiderio but hopes the former University of the Philippines star will assert himself even more.
Desiderio has the green light to shoot, the coach added.
“Si Desiderio kasi, nakikita ko na marami pang puwedeng i-galing eh,” said Ramos. “Naniniwala ako, tatagal ang buhay niya sa PBA. ‘Yun lang nga, medyo mahiyain pa nung mga nakaraang games. Sinasabihan na namin na atakehin mo, kaya mo ‘yan.”
Desiderio had nine points in the fourth quarter when the result of the match was already settled, but Ramos hopes his performance in the lopsided loss will boost the confidence of the former Batang Gilas player.
“Makikita mo panira na, hindi pa tinitira. Nung nakita niyang tambak na kami, (sabi namin) atakehin mo, laruin mo ‘yan … Sana tumuloy na uli para makasilat kami,” said Ramos.
More than the offense, Ramos firmly believes Desiderio will have a successful PBA career because he can also plays defense.
“Dumedepensa, rume-rebound, malaki ang puso eh. Kahit hindi siya sumu-shoot, makikita mo ‘yung puso niyang dumepensa. Tapos kumukuha ng offensive rebounds, kumukuha ng defensive rebounds. Magaling. May depensa na siya as an individual player.
“Kaming mga coaches, tinitignan namin ‘yung depensa. Sigurado puntos, pupuntos ‘yan kapag tumagal. Kapag kumapal na mukha niya, iiskor na ‘yan."
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