Last May 1, a video surfaced that showed Brent Paraiso attending a film session by the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers.
Eight days later, the 6-foot-2 defensive specialist suited up for the Growling Tigers against the JRU Heavy Bombers in the SMART/UCBL Season 3 Preseason Tournament.
But UST head coach Aldin Ayo disclosed that nothing is final yet between UST and Paraiso, saying that they had just allowed Paraiso to play, as there is no eligility requirement in the UCBL.
“Yes, nandun siya pero nothing is final naman,” said the decorated tactician after UST’s 71-79 loss to the San Sebastian Golden Stags in the 2018 Filoil Flying V Preseason Cup, presented by Chooks-to-Go. “Ako naman, kung willing siya okay lang. Hindi naman namin hinahabol. Kung hindi siya pumunta, okay lang naman. Hindi pa naman siya nagcocommit.
“Gusto lang niya maglaro kaya pinalaro namin. Wala naman eligibility sa UCBL.”
Paraiso seemed to come out of his shell during that game. The 19-year-old swingman had 17 points and five assists in the contest, which impressed Ayo. Moreover, Ayo raised a point about how deep the De La Salle University Green Archers’ pool is.
“Ang laki ng inimprove ni Brent. Nung magkasama kami sa La Salle noon until now? Laki ng inimprove. Nakakasabay siya sa ensayo namin.
“Ewan ko ba kung bakit ganun, lahat ng umaalis sa La Salle nag-i-improve. Sila [Robert] Bolick, si [Matt] Salem, si Larry Muyang, ibig sabihin maraming players ang capable sa La Salle,” Ayo pointed out. “‘Pag umalis, yung mga players na nasa third or fourth group nila, puwede pa mag-start sa ibang teams. Ganun kalalim yung team ng La Salle.”
Even if he is giving Paraiso time to weigh his options, Ayo stressed that he has to decide before the 2018-19 academic calendar of UST begins.
“Pero siyempre may time that he has to decide. We have to finalize our roster na pang-UAAP at pang-reserve namin.”
Regarding Ricci Rivero, Ayo is not changing his stance.
“Ricci wala pa kaming balita. Hindi pa kami nag-uusap,” Ayo shared.
“Same pa rin ang stand ko, hindi ko kinukuha pero hindi ko sinasabi na hindi ko kukunin. ‘Pag pumunta sila e ‘di okay pero ‘pag hindi, okay lang din. Hindi ko sila hahabulin.”
