Nowhere to go but up, indeed.
The current members of the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons met the news of Kobe Paras’ recruitment with much excitement as the team seeks to end a title drought that has lasted more than 30 years.
Paras, a Gilas Cadet and son of arguably UP’s most distinguished basketball alumnus, Benjie Paras, announced his commitment to the Fighting Maroons yesterday.
Current Fighting Maroons and former Cesafi products Paul Desiderio, Janjan Jaboneta and Jun Manzo, were all ecstatic upon hearing of the incredible development. The news comes a few weeks after UAAP Mythical Five member and former La Salle guard Ricci Rivero also announced that he was transferring to UP.
“First of all, Kobe will help us all next season especially with the experience that he has had playing in the United States,” said Manzo, a former standout of the University of the Visayas.
Jaboneta, a former juniors MVP of the Cesafi, said that Kobe’s arrival would surely bring in a lot of excitement and energy.
“I mean, c’mon, that’s Kobe who is coming in to help the team,” said Jaboneta.
Desiderio, also a member of the UAAP Mythical Five, could not help but think of the Maroons’ title potential in Season 82 next year.
“They’re going to be a very strong team that will be capable of winning it all,” said Desiderio who is playing in his final season for UP.
In his statement, Paras explained that he chose to play for UP not just because of their basketball program, but also for their focus on academics.
“I look forward to the challenge of helping make the Fighting Maroons a better basketball team, and the challenge of helping myself become a better student,” Paras said.
“The University of the Philippines is the most respected educational institution in the country. The attraction of UP is not just its basketball program, which just gets better each year, but the world-class education it is known for,” Paras added.