Brent Paraiso (right) stays a step ahead of the Benilde defense. NCAA PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—After two lackluster games to start the NCAA Season 98 men’s basketball tournament, Brent Paraiso has finally found his shooting touch—thanks, in part, to his teammates’ jokes.
After their 81-75 win against St. Benilde on Friday, Paraiso said he had to do more after his performance against Arellano where the Knights lost, 72-69.
“I trained extra because in the last game, I only went 3-for-15 and 1-for-8 from the three points,” Paraiso said after dropping a career and season-high 25 points on 64.3 percent field goal shooting.
He also sank four buckets from deep, only missing one attempt for an efficient 80 percent three-point shooting clip.
In his last game, he only contributed eight points. The 6-foot-2 also averaged a measly 10.5 points per game in the Knights’ first two season affairs.
“They teased me before the start of the game, they asked why I don’t have any contributions again,” he said in jest.
“I really just had to bounce back,” the former UST skipper added.
The Knights, who currently hold a 2-1 win-loss record, will face their Season 97 Finals rival, Mapua, on Tuesday.