BRENT Paraiso ended his collegiate career the same way he started it: a champion.
The shifty 6-foot-2 guard flashed a wide smile as he copped his third collegiate crown after Letran's 81-67 Game Three victory over St. Benilde on Sunday to cap off his amateur run with the NCAA Season 98 seniors basketball title.
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"Sobrang saya kasi last year ko na eh tapos nag-champion pa. Nag-simula ako na champion kami, rookie year ko sa La Salle. Natapos ako, champion pa din. Napakasarap sa pakiramdam," he said.
Paraiso was a bench option for La Salle in its run to the UAAP Season 79 crown in 2016, just one of the few weapons for coach Aldin Ayo in a star-studded Green Archers squad led by Ben Mbala and Jeron Teng but also had the likes of Jason Perkins, Aljun Melecio, Kib Montalbo, and Ricci Rivero.
Paraiso was then one of the major contributors for University of Santo Tomas in UAAP Season 82 in 2019, linking up with Soulemane Chabi Yo as well as Renzo Subido, CJ Cansino, Mark Nonoy, and Rhenz Abando as the Ayo-coached Growling Tigers reached the finals where they were swept by Ateneo.
He then jumped to Letran, joining forces with Abando, while also conniving with Jeo Ambohot, Fran Yu, Louie Sangalang, and King Caralipio to deliver the last two of this three-peat to Muralla.
Paraiso averaged 11.4 points, 4.25 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.4 steals in NCAA Season 98. In the title-clinching triumph, Paraiso had 16 points on 2-of-5 shooting from deep, on top of three boards, two assists, two blocks, and a steal.
"Na-prove ni Brent na kaya namin without yung MVP namin. Nahihiya lang siyang sabihin na kaya niyang dalhin yung team," said Knights coach Bonnie Tan.
Paraiso is eager to write the next chapter in his career.
"Yan naman ang goal natin mula bata eh, umabot sa PBA," he said.
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