Benjie-Kobe 3-on-3 partnership up

WHEN Benjie Paras’ younger son Kobe announced on national television the other day that his father will be in the  coaching staff of the national team playing in the Fiba World Under-18 3-on-3 competition in Debrecen, Hungary, June 4 to 7, it became clear why Benjie’s character Abner recently got “killed” in the ABS-CBN teleserye “Nathaniel.”

“I am not sure if Kobe took time out from his studies at Cathedral High in California or if summer vacation has started, but Kobe’s presence in Hungary is vital,” said head coach John Flores, who has appointed the young cager as team captain.

“Kobe will come in as the new leader of the team because of his experience in the previous 3-on-3 tournaments. His height and size (6-foot-6, guard-forward) and versatility will be a factor in our campaign. I hope to see maturity and leadership that we will need for him to guide the team,” Flores added.

Since he left the country two years ago to study abroad, Kobe has grown two inches taller, has developed muscles and has become more athletic, added John, who has coached the young Paras in the 2013 Fiba Asia Under-18 3-on-3 in Bangkok, Thailand. The country won the gold and qualified for the 2013 Fiba World Under-18 3-on-3 in Jakarta, where Kobe was crowned Slam Dunk king.

Kobe has prepared a new repertoire of slam dunk moves for this year’s competition, which he has shown to coach John for his approval.

“I gave him two thumbs up,” said Flores.

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Playing with Kobe in Hungary are Mike Nieto of Ateneo, Richard Escoto of FEU and Ricci Rivero of La Salle Green Hills. Coach John said Nieto and Escoto were selected because of their experience in the Fiba Asia and Fiba World Under-16 team coached by Jamike Jarin.

“I believe that they have the heart and spirit to do the difficult task that we demand from them. Their role will be just as important as Kobe’s. They will be tasked to defend post players who will outweigh and outsize them and also defend guards who are bigger and as quick or even quicker than they are.”

“Ricci, the youngest in the team, was selected from the pool because of his inborn talent and athleticism. He is the younger brother of Prince Rivero who was a member of the team that won the gold in Bangkok.

“The Philippines is bracketed with powerhouse Russia and Poland, host country Hungary, Kazakhstan, Uruguay and Guatemala in Group A,” said the 49-year-old Flores, who is the coach of the LSGH juniors team in the NCAA. He also mentored Ateneo’s women’s basketball team for seven years.

“I was recommended by coach Jamike Jarin for the 3-on-3 coaching job in 2013. The job was originally offered to him but he chose to focus on the five-on-five. I am grateful to Mike for giving me the break.”

By the way, I  wonder if Benjie Paras would resurrect as an angel in the “Nathaniel” teleserye when he returns from Hungary.