'Atin 'To': Paul Desiderio's trademark mantra that brought UP upwards

Thanks to the UP Fighting Maroons captain Paul Desiderio,  "#AtinTo" has become, not just their team's mantra, but their fans' battle cry as well.

Asked about how he feels on becoming the face of "Atin 'To," the graduating Desiderio said he is happy that everyone now uses it.

"Nung sinabi ko 'yun, parang nahihiya na nga ako e kasi kanina, ang dami [na] puro "Atin 'to", pero masaya ako," Desiderio said.

"Masaya dahil maraming naniniwala na posibleng manalo talaga 'yung mahihinang team," he added.

After surviving two do-or-die games against Adamson in the Final Four, the Fighting Maroons fell short in their bid for the crown against defending champions Ateneo.

"Laging sinasabi ng teammates ko, "Atin 'to" kahit di na ako nagsasabi so sobrang saya na ako," the UP team captain said.

What's next for Paul?

Desiderio's collegiate career may have ended, but fans can still watch him play in the hard court.

"Bukas, mag-file ako ng draft so hopefully may kukuha," Desiderio said Wednesday after their runner-up finish against the Ateneo Blue Eagles.

The PBA has extended its application for the 2018 Rookie Draft until December 10 instead of December 3.

Asked on what team he prefers in the PBA, he said "Naku po, kahit saan."

Lessons learned

As his stint with UP has ended, Desiderio said patience was the greatest lesson he learned in his collegiate career.

"Ikaw, player ka from Cebu, 0-14 start mo. Ine-expect mo lilipat ka ng school. Pero nagpasensya lang ako. tinitiis ko one win, kahit parang mukha kaming loko nag-one win kami, pero pag-graduate ko, [nasa] Finals." the Cebuano native said.

But as a captain, one thing he can leave to the Fighting Maroons is the lesson of never giving up.

"Siguro 'yung never give up. Think positive lang parati. 'Yun talaga problema namin dati sa UP e, nalalamangan kami tapos nawawalan ng gana kaya tuloy-tuloy na 'yun. Happy naman ako na nabago 'yun," shared Desiderio.

The UP team captain's journey to wherever he is now was not that easy. He started with seasons of minimal wins, but he himself did what he needs to do to propel UP to a championship-caliber team.

"Hindi naging madali kasi 'yung Season 80, ako 'yung unang option pero nung dumating si Juan, Bright, kumbaga as a captain, Ibababa mo pride mo para 'yung team mo aasenso," Desiderio narrated.

"'Yun ginawa ko, nagpababa ako ng pride ko, ego ko ibinaba ko na so nakarating kami rito," he said.

Will the Maroons still have a fighting chance next season?

"Napakalaking pressure sa kanila pero kaya naman nila. [Sina] Kobe (Paras), Ricci (Rivero) nandun. Kakayanin naman mag-champion next season," Desiderio said. —LBG, GMA News