Kobe Paras takes break from college hoops, eyes Gilas spot
May 25, 2017 | 7:00am
Kobe Paras during the Chooks-Pilipinas 3x3 presser Wednesday night. | Philstar.com/Denison Dalupang
MANILA, Philippines – Kobe Paras has tons of tasks lined up for him.
But there’s one that definitely would be a boost to the national hooping interest.
"This year, I'm taking a break from college basketball," he shared during the Chooks-Pilipinas 3x3 presser at a hotel in Pasig Wednesday night.
"I really plan on trying out for Gilas," the 19-year-old son of PBA legend Benjie. "I'm not the type of person who receives a call or text from a coach and plays right away."
"I just want to represent my country because it's a different experience and I get to go up against people from different countries," the young Paras said.
This goes hand-in-hand with the dream of becoming an Olympian, he added.
"Olympics is my dream talaga—to be an Olympic athlete. I think it's every athlete's dream. And I hope kami nina Kiefer (Ravena), Jeron (Teng) can be an ice breaker and be able to fulfill that," Paras said.
"[It's] not an everyday thing that a person gets to places and play," he offered.
"I wanna be fair ... I don't really care if I'm famous enough," the 6-foot-6 cager noted. "Mas I care to try out before even entering the team."
Paras, who had been testing waters in the United States in chase of an NBA dream, also said that the break—which is due to his one-year NCAA residency with CalState Northridge—will enable him to work on himself and his mettle in school.
"That's a goal," he said when he was asked about his bid to enter the NBA. "But for now, I'm just gonna focus on myself for a year getting better in my academics, building better relationships with people."
"Next year, focus is on playing for Cal State Northridge," he added.
Paras will be joining collegiate stars Teng and Ravena, and PBA player JR Quiniahan in the FIBA 3x3 World Cup in France this June.
The youngest in the bunch, the former Creighton Bluejays athlete is no stranger to the 3x3 action, as he was formerly a player in the juniors side in 2013. He also won the Slam Dunk competition under the same event in 2013 and in 2015.
"I'm just gonna keep working hard," Paras closed. "I've been through so much adversity in my life [and] this (residency) is nothing compared to what i've been through."
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