Paras grateful for UP stint
Kobe Paras expressed gratitude to the University of the Philippines (UP) for giving him a chance to display his talent in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP).
In a social media post, Paras thanked the Fighting Maroons for welcoming him with “open arms” that enabled him to jumpstart his career following a failed bid in the United States, where he suited up for UCLA and Creighton in the US National Collegiate Athletic Association.
Now, Paras is back in the US and is now training full time in Cincinnati in a bid to play at the professional level.
“UP, you welcomed me with open arms. I’m grateful for everything,” said Paras, the son of former Philippine Basketball Association star, Benjie Paras, who is considered as a UP legend for leading the school to its last UAAP title in 1989.
“Only one reason why I went to UP: Because my dad went there, and he’s a living legend because of what he did for that school.”
UP, you welcomed me with open arms. I’m grateful for everything.
At UP, Paras proved that he is one of the country’s brightest young stars.
With Juan Gomez de Liaño, Ricci Rivero and Bright Akhuetie as teammates, Paras posted 17.4 points and 5.7 rebounds in the 14-game elimination round to power the Fighting Maroons to the second seed in the stepladder semifinals.
Although they lost to University of Santo Tomas in the post-season, hopes were high on the Fighting Maroons as prized recruits like CJ Cansino, Joel Cagulangan, Jancork Cabahug and Malick Diouf made their exodus together with rising stars like Miguel Tan, Sam Dowd, Anton Eusebio and Alonso Tan.
UP coach Bo Perasol thanked Paras for his contribution, saying that he was supposed to stay if not for the coronavirus pandemic that put collegiate sport at standstill.
“In the past weeks, Kobe and I had discussed lengthily about his various opportunities amid this lingering pandemic situation,” Perasol said.
“However, we are both unsure and not so hopeful that collegiate basketball will resume this year. It is in this backdrop that we both agreed that he pursues other opportunities.”
Paras left for the US last week and immediately signed a contract with East West Private, the US-based talent management agency that also handles the careers of Kai Sotto, Cholo Añonuevo and Sage Tolentino.