No US scholarship for young Paras

THEY expected only three to four gold medals from the ongoing Burma (Myanmar) Southeast Asian Games,   said Abap (Association of Boxing Alliances of the Philippines) secretary general Pato Gregorio. So when the Philippine boxers brought home three, they were not really that disappointed, although Abap president Ricky Vargas said we could have won double that number if not for hometown decisions.

“We failed to get a better medal  placement after we lost to three completely unheard of boxers from Burma on hometown decisions,” said Vargas.

“It was so obvious, but what can we do? That’s just the way it is. Boxing is a subjective sport,” he added.

What they had not counted on, according to Gregorio, was all the Filipino boxers coming home with medals, including the first-timers.

In addition to the three golds, the boxers collected four silver and three  bronze medals.

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Only his older son, UP Maroon Andre Paras, was with PBA legend-turned-comedian Benjie Paras when he showed up at a Christmas party in a Quezon City restaurant recently.

Benjie said his 16-year-old son Kobe, who won the slam dunk competition at the Fiba World Under-18 3-on-3 Championship in Indonesia recently by beating a Spaniard and an American, is currently in the US.

“Kobe will pursue his high school studies there. His priority is to find a high school rich in Catholic tradition  and one with a firm La Sallian background that he has been used to in the Philippines.

Kobe represented the Philippines in the Fiba tourney along with Thirdy Ravena, Prince Rivero and Arvin Tolentino.

Benjie said Kobe is not in the US on any form of basketball scholarship.

“How I wish!” said the PBA’s only MVP-Rookie of the Year awardee back in 1989.

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Finding the opportunity to get an answer straight from the horse’s mouth, one of the scribes asked if Andre really chose to play for the cellar-dwelling University of the Philippines despite offers from La Salle and San Beda.

“Only UP offers the course in filmmaking that I want to take up in college,” said Andre.

“Gusto kasi talagang mag-aral ng anak kong yan eh (“My son Andre really wants to study”),” said Benjie