WHAT IF... Paul Desiderio missed the Atin To shot
History lesson: The University of the Philippines' rise began even before Kobe Paras, even before Bright Akhuetie, and even before Paul Desiderio. The Fighting Maroons, with Jett Manuel at the helm, were already knocking on the door of the UAAP 79 Final Four. In the end, they fell short, but tying for fifth-place remains a step forward from their so-called "dark days." From there, they improved year-by-year. Technically, that was the origin story of their transformation into the “Winning Maroons.” In essence, however, this new State U, this legitimate contender State U, was born on the day Desiderio claimed victory. "Atin to, papasok to!" -- Paul Desiderio during the timeout. Moments later...#UAAPSeason80 pic.twitter.com/7yafSpldJM — ABS-CBN Sports (@abscbnsports) September 10, 2017 “Atin ‘to, papasok ‘to,” he yelled in the middle of a timeout with just 5.3 ticks to go in their Season 80 opener opposite University of Sto. Tomas. Not long after, he took a pass from Jun Manzo and then launched a long-range missile over Zach Huang. Game, set, and match for him and his team. UP still fell short of the playoffs that year, but next season, they finally broke through for their first Final Four appearance since 1997 and then their first Finals stint since 1986. From then until now, “Atin ‘To” has been the battlecry of a long-suffering team and fanbase. Sometimes, however, don’t you ever think what if… What if Desiderio missed that shot? That guarantee he made and that game he won was just the jumpstart the Fighting Maroons needed to believe that hey, they could really, really do this. When the proud Cebuano said it, though, there was also a 50 percent chance he was going to disappoint his teammates, his coaches, and their faithful. What if he did? Of course, Desiderio would not be a lifetime legend in Diliman. There is a credible chance he still goes on to make the Mythical Team that year, but wouldn’t have his iconic moment. In turn, State U wouldn’t have a battlecry - two words so simple, yet so strong. “Atin ‘To” was the short and sweet statement that all has changed for UP and it will now stand alongside the best of the best in men’s basketball. And that means that one of the four spots in the playoffs was theirs. In Season 81, the Fighting Maroons would still put an end to their 21-year Final Four drought and 32-year Finals absence - of course they do behind MVP Bright Akhuetie, Mythical selection Juan Gomez de Liano, and team captain Desiderio. They do so, though, with a battlecry with a lot less passion that “Atin ‘To” encapsulated and entailed - think “16-strong” or something to that effect. Without an iconic moment, Desiderio fails to stand out all that much in the 2018 PBA Draft and falls lower than the no. 4 he was picked at. Other players, friends and foes alike, would also have to find a new name for claiming victory. From Matt Nieto. To Akhuetie. To Emilio Aguinaldo College. The ripple effects even reach outside basketball as, without the recent comparison, UST’s “Kami Naman” becomes even more powerful. In terms of on-court results, nothing much would have changed if Paul Desiderio missed the “Atin ‘To” shot. The story, however, would be a lot less colorful. —— Follow this writer on Twitter, @riegogogo......»»
Stewart Cink, 50, part of five-way tie for Valspar lead
(Photo credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports) Fifty-year-old Stewart Cink shot a 4-under 67 to join a five-way tie for the lead at the Valspar Championship before play was suspended Friday in Palm Harbor, Fla. As the field endured rainy conditions at Innisbrook Resort's Copperhead Course, 20 golfers did not complete their rounds before darkness fell. They will resume their second rounds Saturday at 9 a.m. The five co-lea.....»»
Davao City’s top shabu dealer slain in police operation
Policemen shot dead an uncooperative narcotics trafficker who is in the list of most wanted shabu and marijuana peddlers in Davao City in an entrapment operation that went awry on Saturday......»»
Businesswoman shot dead in Kidapawan City
Two men riding a motorcycle together shot dead a businesswoman along a busy street in Kidapawan City in Cotabato province on Saturday morning......»»
With help from Paul Lee, Raymond Almazan rules inaugural 3-Point Shootout for bigs
Raymond Almazan credits former teammate Paul Lee for some valuable tips as he tops the first-ever Big Men Three-Point Shootout during the PBA All-Star Weekend.....»»
Room to improve: Oftana still wants to be better after 3-Point Shootout reign
TNT's Calvin Oftana dethrones Paul Lee for the Guards/Wings Three-Point Shootout crown during the PBA All-Star Weekend in Bacolod City.....»»
Stewart Cink, 50, part of five-way tie for Valspar lead
(Photo credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports) Fifty-year-old Stewart Cink shot a 4-under 67 to join a five-way tie for the lead at the Valspar Championship before play was suspended Friday in Palm Harbor, Fla. As the field endured rainy conditions at Innisbrook Resort's Copperhead Course, 20 golfers did not complete their rounds before darkness fell. They will resume their second rounds Saturday at 9 a.m. The five co-lea.....»»
Lovi Poe joins Prison Break director s upcoming Hollywood film
Actress Lovi Poe has joined the cast of an upcoming Hollywood movie with Canadian actor Adam Beach about Native American fire captain Paul Fullerton......»»
Panghulan s Hail Mary shot lifts Top Flight past Arellano in NBTC Division 2 finals
Joey Panghulan’s last-gasp half-court heave towed Top Flight Sports Canada into the National Basketball Training Center (NBTC) Division 2 finals over the Arellano Braves, 87-84, Friday afternoon at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City......»»
Go rules ICTSI Palos Verdes romp with 4-shot romp
With a commanding lead, Lloyd Go turned the final round of the ICTSI Palos Verdes Championship into a victory lap here Friday, essaying a four-stroke victory over Michael Bibat and Guido van der Valk despite a 74......»»
Atin Ito plans another try at civilian mission to West Philippine Sea - Rappler
Atin Ito plans another try at civilian mission to West Philippine Sea Rappler.....»»
Mga pampaswerte sa Year of the Wooden Dragon
ILANG araw na lang at magaganap na ang Chinese New Year kaya naman agad na dumayo ang BANDERA team sa Binondo para siyasatin kung ano nga ba ang mga bagay na pwedeng maghatid ng suwerte sa atin para sa pagpasok ng Year of the Wood Dragon. Halina at alamin kung ano ang mga bagay na.....»»
Year of the Dragon at Valentine’s salubungin sa Snow World
KAHIT na medyo maginaw pa rin sa atin lalo na sa madaling araw, iba pa rin ang feeling na hatid ng tunay na snow, at iyan ay matatagpuan lamang sa Snow World Manila. Nakahanda na rin ngayon ang Snow World para salubungin ang Year of the Dragon at siyempre ang Valentine’s day. Marami ng naiibang karanasan sa ….....»»
Pia sinagot ang tanong kung hanggang kailan dapat magbigay para sa pamilya
HANGGANG kailan nga ba dapat magbigay ng suportang pinansyal ang isang breadwinner ng pamilya? I’m sure marami sa atin ang nakaka-relate sa tanong na yan, lalo pa’t talaga namang makapamilya ang mga Pinoy at bahagi na rin yan ng ating kultura mula pa sa ating mga ninuno. Halos lahat tayo’y dumaan sa pagiging breadwinner at.....»»
The Atin Ito convoy achieved more than planned
Most Filipinos identify as part of a family, clan or community, first and foremost......»»
REFLECTIONS: Atin Ito Christmas Convoy to Ayungin: My Personal Chronicle
GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews / 19 December) — During our journey to the West Philippine Sea (WPS), I wrote four running articles online, published short notes with pictures, and also took video footages to mark where we were and the things we were exactly doing. This article chronicles our entire journey, to immortalize our historic […].....»»
Gift-bearing boat reaches Lawak Island — Christmas convoy organizer
ATIN ITO Coalition said that ML Chowee, one of its supply boats, “slipped past Chinese marine vessels” and arrived on the Philippine-occupied Lawak Island at 5 a.m......»»
What you need to know: Atin Ito’s Christmas convoy to West PH Sea
The project aims to honor the Filipinos who bear the brunt of China's intimidations in the West Philippine Sea and make a statement that ordinary Filipinos can sail freely sail through its own waters.....»»
Civilian-led Christmas convoy sails to West Philippine Sea
The Christmas convoy bound for Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea has set off from Manila and is now en route to El Nido, Palawan, the Atin Ito Coalition on Friday morning said......»»
NSC allows Atin Ito s Christmas convoy to pass through Ayungin Shoal s vicinity
In a statement, the NSC said that it had met with the leaders of the ATIN to! coalition and agreed that sailing directly in BRP Sierra Madre at Ayungin Shoal would be “not advisable” for the sake of the safety of the civilian convoy......»»
Melai Cantiveros na-amaze sa asawang si Jason Francisco: ‘Ang pera mo ay sa ‘yo, ang pera ko ay sa atin’
IBINANDERA ng Kapamilya TV host-comedienne na si Melai Cantiveros kung gaano niya hinahangaan ang kanyang asawang si Jason Francisco. Sa kanyang interview sa talent manager na si Ogie Diaz na mapapanood sa YouTube channel ng huli ay napag-usapan ang patungkol sa pinansyal na aspeto ng pagsasama ng dalawa. Marami rin kasi ang mga bumabatikos at.....»»