KOBE Paras walked out of the Mall of Asia Arena with his head held high even after University of the Philippines’ heartbreaking 68-65 loss to the University of Santo Tomas last Saturday, effectively booting them out of UAAP Season 82.
With everything he went through to be at this point, that should not come as a surprise.
“This is my fourth college. What I learned is to be grateful for what I have. My plan A didn’t work, this is my plan B,” Paras said.
For years, Paras has been undoubtedly one of the most exciting young talents in the country and the spotlight shone ever brightly on him when he moved to the states in 2013 to pursue his dream of making it big in the world of basketball.
But five years and three universities later, the prodigious forward found himself at a crossroads after playing just 15 games in the NCAA in that stretch - playing limited minutes for Creighton.
That was when he decided to go back to the Philippines where he found himself with the Fighting Maroons, a team that is currently on a 33-year title drought.
It is also there where he finally found a home, while doing what he loves on a consistent basis - playing.
“My plan B is still dreams for other people. So I’m just really grateful that I’m here. I’m grateful that I showed what I got.”
Now finally back to doing what he loves, Paras certainly made the most out of it.
For all the faults of the Fighting Maroons this season, not much can be said about the efforts that the 6’6 highflyer showcased this season. .
Paras put up averages of 16.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.1 steals and 2.5 blocked shots, earning him a spot in the UAAP Mythical Team.
Their run ended in heartbreak when they ran into a raging and confident Growling Tigers side in the semis - and while a younger Paras would have reacted differently with the loss, the 22-year-old Paras takes a look at it from a much more positive perspective.
“It was a good game. We fought, unlike the first game with UST where we really didn’t fight. I’m just glad we went out, that we fought hard. It hurts, but it’s basketball. There has to be a winner, there has to be a loser,” Paras said.
“I take losing as a big challenge for me in my life but this is an amazing journey. I’m grateful to the UAAP. I’m grateful for UP. I’m grateful for you guys. Just know, really grateful for what happened today.”
Paras has never been questioned about his talent nor his potential as a basketball player, that has always been a given ever since he started dunking on players older than him during his days in La Salle Greenhills.
The questions were always about how he would fit in and is he mature enough to stand as a leader of a team?
Ironically, it was in the most heartbreaking part of the season where all those questions were answered.
“I’ve learned to love myself and be more appreciative of what I have instead of wanting more things and think that’s a lesson for a lot of people in this world you have to be grateful for what you have,” Paras shared.
“You can’t be fishing for stuff you don’t have. you’ll never be complete. I’m just grateful for the UP community, thankful for Bright, grateful for my teammates, coaches, supporters, just grateful.”
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