KYLE Paranada had his best game for University of Sto. Tomas with 13 points in 14 minutes over fellow Final Four-seeking Far Eastern University to stop a three-game bleeding.
The Growling Tigers’ 5-6 record is enough, at least for the time being, to hold fourth place with three elimination round games left in UAAP Season 87.
In what will be a photo finish for the last two Final Four places, there’s no better time for España to see more of its rising stars shine when it counts most.
Kyle’s time for UST is now
Paranada was one of University of the East’s main men in a winless Season 85 campaign with the Red Warriors, averaging 11.6 points, 4.2 assists, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.6 steals per game.
He’d go on to serve his residency during Season 86 to play for UST a year later after a surprise departure from the Recto side.
READ: Pido Jarencio causes stir anew after scathing message to critics
As his time finally came in a skid-busting 79-70 victory, the 5-foot-9 gunner admitted how it took a while for him to be on the same page with a rather retro style of play under UST tactician Pido Jarencio.
“No frustrations, but I guess it took me a little bit of time to fit in the system of coach Pido. He has an old school system so it took me a little bit of time, but I got there and I adjusted,” Paranada told SPIN.ph.
“I fit in well now in UST and in coach Pido’s system. He just tells me what he wants me to do as a player for the team, so I just follow him.
“He tells me to create and look for open teammates and score myself, so that's what I do.”
Big school, bigger dreams
It was a straightforward admission from Paranada when asked why he made what was a stunning transfer at the time from UE, where he rose early as one of its central figures, to UST.
“I would say because I wanted to study at a big school and a good school, so that's why I moved to UST,” he said.
Now in the Tigers’ den, a place longing to see its men’s team return to college basketball supremacy after 18 years, his personal mission is clear.
In fact, there’s only one thing he’s searching for now.
“A championship, that’s it.”
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