MANILA – Weeks after announcing his plan to turn professional basketball player, Kobe Paras has recently announced his plan to return home and possibly play for Gilas Pilipinas.
Gilas team manager Butch Antonio said the 20-year-old “could be here to stay” when he returns to the country this weekend following years of trying his luck in the United States.
“Everybody’s excited and anxious for Kobe’s return. He’s been committed to our program, to SBP in general and even our 3×3,” Antonio said during Gilas’ practice on Wednesday evening at the Meralco Gym.
“So we anticipate excitement when he comes back. We’ll see how we can progress from now because it looks like Kobe’s here to stay. We’d like to know what his plans are,” he added.
Paras might also be included in the Gilas Pilipinas cadet team that will compete in the FilOil Flying V Pre-Season Tournament along with former De La Salle University Green Archers’ Ricci and Rashleigh Rivero.
Paras pursued his studies in the States in 2014. He played for Cathedral High School in Los Angeles before moving to the Middlebrooks Academy prep team the following year.
Paras previously made commitment to play for University of California, Los Angeles but had to withdraw from the school and transfer to Creighton. He then transferred to Cal State Northridge before bolting anew a year later.
Paras last played organized basketball when he was part of the Gilas team that won gold in the 2017 Southeast Asian Games in Kuala Lumpur. He also played 2017 FIBA 3X3 World Cup in Nantes, France and in Jones Cup in Chinese-Taipei./PN
