They finally received a four-star recruit that will eventually pan out into a diamond. Imagine if he can bring his brother in a year. Looks positive, UP.
The Good
Raul Soyud, Chris Ball and a second-generation Maroon will banner this year’s UP Men’s Basketball Team.
They’ve got Paras!
Well, Andre Paras. And Kobe Paras might not be long in the offing. These kids have played together since they started basketball. The sons of former Maroon and PBA Legend Benjie “The Tower of Power†Paras will surely make waves in the collegiate circuit.
Andre stands 6’4â€. Pretty much the same as daddy, and can be developed into a beast big man down low in four years for the Fighting Maroons. He may have to contend with Ball, Soyud and former National Youth Team mainstay Paolo Romero for minutes. But we’re pretty much sure Paras will shine in due time.
The Bad and the Ugly
This goes hand in hand with the Maroons.
There’s nowhere to go but up, sure. But in the “now,†there’s nowhere to go for UP. Last year, they should’ve won more games, like at least five or six, but it didn’t happen. This year, they’re on par for say, four.
Another is, this team has no leader. Alvin Padilla is gone and he was obviously the top dog last year.
Watch out for…
A throwback, Benjie-like game from Andre Paras, even if it occurs only once, is already a good sign for the long run.