ANTIPOLO CITY — Brent Paraiso continued his winning ways as he helped Letran get their 20th championship in the National Collegiate Athletics Association.
Paraiso won his second championship with Letran and his third overall in the collegiate ranks.
And definitely, he has gone full circle.
“Sobrang saya kasi last year ko na tapos nag-champion pa,” said Paraiso, who transferred to Letran from University of Santo Tomas during NCAA Season 96.
“Nagsimula ako nag-champion kami rookie year ko sa La Salle tapos natapos champion pa din. Napakasarap sa pakiramdam.”
Paraiso ended his college playing year with a bang after finishing 16 points on 50-percent shooting together with three rebounds and two assists to get his third championship.
The 24-year-old guard also said that they are much more focused this time around after blowing a double-digit lead in Game Two.
“Nung fourth quarter last 10 minutes na lang, wag na kami bibigay. Konti na lang yung pangarap namin nandyan na,” said Paraiso.
“Tapos sabi nila coach last three minutes na lang habang pa-onti ng pa-onti hanggang sa di na kami bumitaw,” he continued.
“So yun sobrang thankful namin kay Lord. Destiny ‘to.”
Paraiso was part of Aldin Ayo’s De La Salle University squad back in UAAP Season 79 and won his first ring as a rookie.
Since then, Paraiso has been in the finals every single year in the collegiate ranks.
He once again played for the Green Archers in Season 80 which saw them lose to Ateneo in the Finals, followed by another finals appearance for UST in Season 82.
The 6-foot-2 guard transferred to the NCAA to study at and play for Letran in Season 97 and won two more crowns.
Now that he is done, Paraiso is ready for the next chapter in his journey — the PBA.
“Syempre ayun naman goal natin mula bata e, umabot sa PBA. So hopefully.”
