Kobe Paras sparks late surge as UP Maroons rip Taiwan Sport University

KOBE Paras towed University of the Philippines to a 76-61 victory over National Taiwan Sport University on Tuesday to open its campaign in the 2019 Buddha's Light International Association Cup in Kaohsiung.

The second-generation star dropped seven of his 15 points in the telling 17-0 finishing kick that turned a 61-59 deficit to a 15-point win for the Fighting Maroons.

Paras also conspired with Jun Manzo in UP's second quarter assault to grab a 48-35 advantage before NTSU roared back and made it a game in the second half.

Manzo fired nine of his 13 points in the second frame.

Jaybie Manilla added 11 points for the Fighting Maroons, as Javi Gomez de Liano and Bright Akhuetie both had 10.

UP missed the services of Ricci Rivero, who was suffering from an ankle sprain, as well as Juan Gomez de Liano, who is dealing with back spasms.

The Fighting Maroons will next face Huaqiao University of China on Wednesday.