KOBE PARAS decided to go back to school and opted to bring his talent to University of the Philippines (UP).
But Paras has to sit out one year of residency before he could play in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP).
The 6-foot-6 star surprisingly announced his commitment on Wednesday to play for UP. His father, Benjie Paras, was the “Missing Link” who delivered the Fighting Maroons to their first—and only, so far—UAAP crown in 1986.
“UP is the most respected educational institution in the country,” Paras told Ikot.ph, official web site run by UP Alumni. “The attraction of UP is not just its basketball program, which just gets better each year, but the world-class education it is known for.”
“I look forward to the challenge of helping make the Fighting Maroons a better basketball team, and the challenge of helping myself become a better student,” he added.
Kobe joined on the UP roster his fellow men’s national team cadet Ricci Rivero, who crossed from De La Salle last summer.
The 20-year-old former De La Salle Greenhills standout had a rollercoaster journey in the United States. He committed himself to the University of California-Los Angeles before seeing action for Creighton University, where he played a forgettable season.
He transferred to California State University-Northridge but also left the team after his coach was fired. He decided to go home after that.
Paras played for the Gilas Pilipinas Cadets team in the FilOil Flying V Preseason Cup, and he is a member of the squad that will see action in the 18th Asian Games in Indonesia this August.
UP Maroons Coach Bo Perasol said he is blessed to have Paras on his roster.
“That being said, talent is talent, and we are fortunate to have a talent like Kobe on board,” Perasol said. “Winning, as experience has shown us, takes more than talent. We have to get everyone on the same page and to play the right way, and that is what we will be working on in the months to come.”