Perasol on Kobe Paras: He played his heart out for UP

Former UP player Kobe Paras has moved back to the US. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Kobe Paras’ stint with University of the Philippines may have been cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic, but he gave it his all in his only season as a Fighting Maroon.

UP head coach Bo Perasol was grateful for having the chance to mentor a caliber of a player like Paras.

“It’s not every season that one gets to convince a talent like Kobe to be part of a growing program like the UP MBT,” Perasol said in a post on the official Twitter account of the UP men’s basketball team.

“He took a chance on us and played his heart out.”

UP FIGHTING MAROONS HEAD COACH BO PERASOL CONFIRMS KOBE PARAS' DEPARTURE FROM THE UP MEN’S BASKETBALL TEAM pic.twitter.com/FEGzKR3gJZ

— UP Fighting Maroons (@upmbt) April 20, 2021

After a brief UAAP campaign at UP, Paras’ basketball career took a turn back to the United States as he joined US-based East West Private.

East West Private is the same agency that handles Kai Sotto and other US-based prospects.

Paras averaged 16.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.5 blocks and 1.1 steals per game for UP.

“It’s for our new players to begin stepping up where he has left off,” said Perasol, whose squad won’t be lacking in talent despite Paras’ departure after getting commitments from several blue-chip recruits.

The UAAP hasn’t resumed since the pandemic abruptly ended its 82nd season last year.