Kobe Paras was like a kid in a candy store last Tuesday night. From watching Gilas, he is now training with the heroes he has looked up to.
“Masaya naman,” described Paras about his first workout with the Nationals.
“Nung nandito pa ako, bata pa ako, napapanood ko silang lahat sa college.”
Paras was right. The Gilas players he now plays with were already in college around four to five years ago while he was still that lanky yet athletic kid, suiting up for De La Salle Greenhills.
“It’s a great feeling that the people I look up to, magiging teammates ko na.”
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Paras, 19, is the youngest member in the current Gilas Pilipinas pool. Though he may be the youngest, he has already participated in numerous age-group tourneys.
The second-generation star has proven that he can compete abroad and keep up with the best foreign players, and his numerous medals and stints in the SEABA U-16 and FIBA 3X3 tourneys are testaments to it.
That is why Gilas head coach Chot Reyes fully believes in him, that Paras can be the cornerstone of Gilas’ future, which features the likes of up-and-coming stars Kai Sotto and Filipino-Nigerian AJ Edu.
“Kobe I think is going to be the forerunner of that youth brigade,” said the 53-year-old tactician.
“It’s not my first international experience. This level is harder than I’ve ever been. I’ve been in the States for a long time. Parang parehas na sa international sa States kasi lahat ng tao, malalaki at mabibilis,” added Paras, who was with Creighton a year ago.
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Now, Paras will have a shot to prove the multi-titled mentor right. Reyes has revealed that Paras is part of the 12-man lineup for the 2017 SEA Games in Malaysia this August.
“Masaya naman just because I have another chance to represent my country,” said the 6-foot-6 swing man after his inclusion into the SEA Games-bound lineup. “Ilang years na ako sa States and only time na napapanood ko yung Gilas is sa TV lang.
“At least now, I’ll have an opportunity to prove myself.”
But aside from proving himself, Paras, who is coming off a stint with Chooks-Pilipinas 3×3 in the 2017 FIBA 3X3 World Championships, vows to give it his all for his motherland.
“Kahit ano gagawin ko para sa bayan. I’m playing for Gilas. ‘Di ako naglalaro para sa college ko,” said the second-generation cager, who is trying to win a SEA Games gold like his father Benjie.
“It’s a different feeling when you’re representing the country. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime thing so I’m happy to be a part of the roster.”
