Kobe Paras to lead PH team in FIBA 3×3 U18 Championships

After making his name known in the US basketball scene, Kobe Paras will don the Philippine colors anew.

The UCLA-commit Paras is set to lead the Philippine team that will compete in the 2015 FIBA 3×3 U18 World Championships in Debrecen, Hungary on June 4 to 7.

The high-flying son of Filipino basketball icon Benjie Paras will be joined by Michael Nieto, Richard Escoto, and Paolo Rivero as the Philippine team goes head to head against powerhouse groups in June.

“All eyes will be on the Philippines team though, who announced the return of Kobe Paras, whose success at the 2013 Dunk Contest was viewed by over two million people on YouTube,” FIBA said in its official website.

FIBA said the 24 men’s and 24 women’s teams were grouped into four pools of six based on the FIBA 3×3 Federation Ranking.

The Philippine team belongs to Pool A, along with Hungary, Kazakhstan, Poland, Russia, and Uruguay.

Andorra, Egypt, Germany, Guatemala, Lithuania, and Romania comprise Pool B, while Pool C is composed of Brazil, Estonia, France, New Zealand, Turkey, and Vietnam. Defending men’s champion Argentina is in Pool D with the United States, Spain, Georgia, Indonesia, and Puerto Rico.

Aside from the men’s and women’s tournament, FIBA will also host a dunk contest, a shootout, and skills events. CC