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    Vanguardia insists Desiderio issue not a distraction as Bossing fall again

    Vanguardia on Desiderio issue: 'It’s unfortunate, if it’s true. But Paul also deserves his side. Let’s not judge Paul'
    Jul 13, 2022
    Ariel Vanguardia SMB vs Blackwater
    Coach Ariel Vanguardia insists Blackwater simply lost to a better team in Rain or Shine.
    PHOTO: Jerome Ascaño

    BLACKWATER coach Ariel Vanguardia didn't see the controversy involving Paul Desiderio as a distraction heading into the Bossing’s match against Rain or Shine on Wednesday.

    Vanguardia on Paul Desiderio issue

    News broke out on Wednesday morning about Desiderio’s alleged domestic abuse in a tweet by his ex-girlfriend Agatha Uvero, the same day that Blackwater was set to face Rain or Shine at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.

    The Bossing lost to the Elasto Painters, 107-90, for their second straight defeat.

    Vanguardia said Rain or Shine played exceptional on Wednesday unlike his team, and it had nothing to do with the controversy that surrounded Desiderio, who is actually not in the line-up as he recovers from an ACL injury.

    “I woke up with Baser informing me about it,” said Vanguardia. “I don’t think it affected us. What affected us was Rain or Shine playing exceptionally well on both ends. 107 points, we gave up too much points. That’s not our game. Rain or Shine, you have to credit them.”

    Vanguardia declined to comment on the issue, but he also hopes to hear the side of Desiderio soon.

    “What happens between a married couple inside a room is none of our business. We know that Paul has never been late, never been absent when he was not injured. He is on his rehab right now. I like to keep it private. I pray for them. I pray for their family.”

    “It’s unfortunate, if it’s true. But Paul also deserves his side. Let’s not judge Paul. I hope we hear his side also. I’m not here as an expert to comment on it but it’s his personal life. As long as hindi naapektuhan trabaho niya, which hindi naman naapektuhan when he was practicing, okay naman. I pray for them,” said Vanguardia.

    The PBA and Blackwater have already issued separate statements on the matter.

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      As for the game, Vanguardia said Rain or Shine was simply the better team as they have been turning things around after losing six straight games in the conference.

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      “We have to accept. We lost to a better team. I was talking about how different the Rain or Shine team in June and how different they are in July. We weren’t able to match that aggressiveness and intensity. We lost. Ganun talaga. We have to go back to the drawing board and figure out how to bounce back.”

      “In the second half, that wasn’t the team that played very well in our first seven games. You have to credit Rain or Shine,” said Vanguardia.

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      Coach Ariel Vanguardia insists Blackwater simply lost to a better team in Rain or Shine.
      PHOTO: Jerome Ascaño
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