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Desiderio eager to bounce back after tearing ACL in tune-up match

Sports | Basketball

Desiderio eager to bounce back after tearing ACL in tune-up match

By Jonas Terrado

Blackwater’s Paul Desiderio vowed to come back stronger after tearing his ACL during a recent tune-up game held before the start of the PBA’s 47th season.

Photo from PBA

Desiderio is likely to miss the season when he got hurt while driving to the hoop in the Bossing’s exhibition match against the TNT Tropang Giga at Moro Lorenzo Gym inside the Ateneo campus.

A video of the incident surfaced recently on social media.

“My worst fear has come true: Today, I was told I tore my ACL and would have to undergo operation next week. This means, I would need to leave basketball for a year,” Desiderio tweeted Tuesday, May 31.

“Basketball has always been a huge part of me and taking this break was unexpected as it is painful to share with everyone,” added Desiderio, who also thanked family and friends for their support.

The former University of the Philippines star averaged 5.7 points and 2.7 rebounds in 21 games last season when Blackwater won just once which came in its final game.

He had a key role in that win when Blackwater stunned fancied Magnolia to avert the first-ever winless season in league history.

His swipe off Mark Barroca allowed Barkley Ebona to score a go-ahead layup and eventually secure Blackwater’s 101-100 win on March 9 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“To those who have watched me from a struggling rookie at the UAAP, to where I am now at Blackwater, to my fans: This experience has humbled me and will keep me grounded as I promise to use this time to get better everyday and come back stronger,” Desiderio said.

Related Tags

Blackwater Bossing Paul Desiderio PBA Philippine Cup

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