MANILA, Philippines – University of the Philippines (UP) guard Paul Desiderio was the clear choice for Player of the Week honors after he led the Fighting Maroons to its biggest win in a decade.

Desiderio fired a career-high 30 points on top of six rebounds and five assists to lead the Maroons to a stunning 98-87 upset of defending champion De La Salle University last Saturday.

It was the most points that a UP player has scored since 2003, but afterward, all Desiderio could say was: "Naglaro lang ako."

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He bested teammate Jun Manzo, Ben Mbala of La Salle, Thirdy Ravena of Ateneo de Manila University, and Papi Sarr of Adamson University for the Chooks-to-Go UAAP Press Corps Player of the Week nod for the period of September 18 to 24.

Yet Desiderio still insisted afterward that it was a team effort on their part that led to the massive upset.

"Wala akong masabi," said the 20-year-old swingman. "Nagpapasalamat lang ako sa mga teammates ko, kasi tulong-tulong kami para manalo."

Indeed, UP head coach Bo Perasol stressed that while Desiderio had an "excellent performance," it was made possible by the other Fighting Maroons.

"His teammates are his unsung heroes," said Perasol. "They pass the ball to him, they rebound for him, they set screens for him, they do the little things for him."

It was a slow start to the season for Desiderio, as he normed only 13 points on 26.3% shooting in their first two games. He broke out of the slump by scoring 28 points against University of the East last week, however, before torching La Salle for 30 points built on six three-poiners.

"Medyo gigil pa ako sa first two games," Desiderio admitted. "Pero ngayon, okay na. Nag-relax na ako."

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