Andre Paras admitted being nervous while he waited for his name to be called during the virtual 2021 PBA Rookie Draft last March 14.
One can not really put the 25-year-old at fault for having butterflies in his stomach, for he is aware of how deep this year’s class was as a total of 86 names were chosen from by the 12 teams in the draft proceedings.
“I was nervous at first, kasi nga ‘yung mga kasama ko napapanood ko lang sila sa mga highlights, college or I went up against them. Grabe, ang gagaling nila,” he told The Chasedown, Saturday.
“I was thinking which team would want me. I was thinking, baka naman [there’s] something I have not shown yet when I played … baka naman meron na silang mga players that they’re happy with.”
Despite that, Paras did not give up whatsoever. And it helped as well that his dad Benjie, the PBA’s only Rookie MVP and one of the league’s 25 Greatest Players, was there to remind him to take it easy.
“I was nervous, but I wasn’t giving up,” he said. “We understood that, of course, mauuna ‘yung mga kailangan nila, like, there are so many talented players. And my Dad just said, ‘Relax lang.’ He just said relax, ganyan talaga.”
And not giving up paid dividends for the 6-foot-5 bruiser. He finally heard his name come the third round, when Blackwater head coach Nash Racela announced that his team is using its 27th overall pick to nab him.
“As soon as I heard my name, from Blackwater kay Coach Nash, I just felt, you know what, it’s good I didn’t give up on myself or thinking that way,” he said.
“I was just very thankful, na maybe it’s a sign they need something from me or it’s a sign na I need to continue playing basketball or, you know, just play the way I play. Because maybe that’s what they want.
“So I was just hyping my own self rather than listening to what other people have been saying,” he furthered.
The actor-slash-hooper also has immense gratitude to his father, whom he actually considers the lucky charm behind his selection.
It could be remembered that Benjie, himself a successful actor, actually made somewhat a cameo appearance in the virtual draft event when he comically sneaked into the Zoom frame of his son upon being drafted.
“When my name was chosen, it so happened sakto, he was in the same room as me. Kasi usually nasa baba lang yun e. I was actually in my room then he came to my room,” the Los Angeles-born cager recalled.
“I was like, may lucky charm pala ako, dapat pala andito na dad ko nung una eh. But other than that, it was a good sign dahil nga he was just there making me happy, making me smile kahit papano.”
Paras was among Blackwater’s picks who were offered with contracts. Just recently, both camps have agreed in principle to a two-year deal.
Now, the real work begins for the former AMA Online Education standout, vowing to fulfill whatever role is asked for him to do.
“Whatever role they give me, I will accept it,” he said. “Kahit it’s to rest the player, I’ll be that guy. If you want me to be an energy guy, if you want me to rebound, defend, I’m that guy. If you’re counting on me to score some baskets for you guys, I’m that guy.
“So whatever happens, whatever the coach wants, that’s what I’m gonna do. That’s how I’ve been playing ever since high school, college, and also in the D-League. I always ask the coach first what they need from me and ‘yun po ang gagawin ko.”
