The clock in the second quarter was approaching the three-minute mark. Iraq had the ball. After moving the rock a few times, one of them launched a jumper from the right wing. That long shot, unfortunately, just clanged off the rim.
Fortunately, Roger Pogoy was there near the shaded lane to pick up the miss. He turned around quick, scanned the floor for a bit, and saw a running Kobe Paras on the other side. So he dribbled once, and dished it to the charging forward.
The six-foot-six, 19-year-old cadet, the youngest member of the current Gilas pool, did not waste Pogoy’s pass. As he caught the leather, Paras dribbled, took two steps, and leapt high from his left leg.
Then, boom. Paras finished the fastbreak with authority with a one-handed tomahawk slam. Everyone in the Gilas bench stood up, cheering loudly. That dunk of his, furthermore, gave Gilas a 33-22 lead with 2:58 on the clock.
The Filipino crowd inside Taipei Heping Basketball Gymnaisum, inevitably, was wowed with that highlight of the second-generation star. They have been waiting for that to happen ever since the 39th William Jones Cup started last Saturday.
As Paras was finally able to grant the wishes of the fans, he could not be more elated with it — he was even seen beaming wide after that dunk, right from his landing to going to the Gilas bench for a TV timeout.
“I’m just happy, because that’s part of my game,” said the Cal State-Northridge Matador after the Nationals’ 84-75 win over Iraq, Thursday night. “Even though I don’t have that much minutes, I just tried to make the most out of it.
“I’m happy it happened. Two points is two points, and I’m just glad we had the win.”
Paras, who is currently averaging 2.0 points and have played just a total of 36 minutes in the four games he played, though was quick to point out that defense was his primary focus versus the Middle Eastern squad.
“Earlier, I just focused on defense, because we were down,” he said, pertaining to the 15-19 deficit they had at the end of the first frame that suddenly became a 36-22 lead at the half after blowing Iraq, 21-3, in the second period.
The annual Taiwan-hosted cagefest is now down to its’ final three games. Paras admitted that everyone in the team is getting tired, but they are still upbeat and optimistic as they head towards the last stretch.
“It’s gonna be tough because we’re six games deep. Everyone’s tired, we don’t have much time to practice, but the guys are in condition. Even though we’re banged up and bruised, we still have the green lights to do what we want.
“I’m excited. We just gotta listen to coach and his game plan,” said Paras.
