Benjie Paras proud of son Kobe’s accomplishments

MANILA, Philippines – PBA legend Benjie Paras’ series of fortunate events added another significant feat on Wednesday, October 22, when the San Beda Red Lions beat the Arellano Chiefs, 89-70, in Game 2 of their finals series to win their fifth straight NCAA men’s basketball tournament championship. 

Paras won his third straight title with the team since returning to San Beda as an assistant coach for the Red Lions in 2012. 

“For me, it’s an honor and I’m happy to be back. Actually this is my third championship with the team. First was under Coach Ronnie Magsanoc (who left San Beda after the 2012 season) and twice with Coach Boyet (Fernandez),” Paras said after the championship clincher.

The two-time PBA MVP played college basketball for the UP Fighting Maroons. However his talents were first harnessed at San Beda, where he played high school basketball with the Red Cubs. 

“The first reason why I’m part of the coaching staff is to give back for playing in high school. I enjoyed being with the boys, the players, and making history (this season).”

The history Paras is referring to is San Beda’s winning their fifth straight championship, an impressive accomplishment in NCAA history completed only by one other school: the 1993-1997 San Sebastian Golden Stags. 

In 2015, this generation’s Red Lions will have the opportunity to outperform the San Sebastian dynasty of two decades ago by winning a sixth straight championship. With key players Baser Amer, Ola Adeogun, and Art Dela Cruz expected to return next season, San Beda might do just that. 

However, they also have to make up for key rotation players graduating after this year’s title: Kyle Pascual, Anthony Semerad (this year’s Finals MVP), and David Semerad. 

“We need to fill those gaps,” Paras said about the loss of the three guys. “Basically we lost three legit players in Kyle Pascual and the Semerads. We will still look for replacements and we will wait for our head coach to decide.” 

The Red Lions will also have to win a sixth straight title under a new mentor with Coach Boyet Fernandez expected not to return next season after he took a coaching job in the PBA with the NLEX Road Warriors. 

Media outlets have reported that current under-17 and under-18 Batang Gilas teams head coach Jamike Jarin has been offered to take over the position. 

“He’s the first candidate to be the head coach of San Beda, so I guess within this week San Beda will announce it (if he’s hired),” Paras said about Jarin.  

Proud as a father and as a Filipino 

Being a major part of San Beda’s history-making feat was another of Paras’ current reasons to be in a celebratory mood. A few weeks ago, his son and former La Salle Greenhills standout Kobe Paras was offered a scholarship to play Division I US NCAA college basketball with Coach Steve Alford and the UCLA Bruins.

“I’m proud being a father and of course being a Filipino,” the elder Paras said about his son’s accomplishment.  

But even if Kobe has already accepted UCLA’s offer, it doesn’t guarantee that he will certainly wear a Bruins uniform once he graduates high school. 

“Right now it’s only his third year. He’s only in his junior high. All of those are verbal agreements, so we will still wait for next year,” he said about UCLA and Kobe. “So if they’re still interested in him.” 

“All we have to do now is wait.” 

But if the agreement between Kobe and UCLA pushes through, Benjie likes the prospect of his son playing for a basketball program that has established itself as arguably the best in NCAA Division I history with 11 national championships and many NBA products. The distance from home helps as well. 

(WATCH: Kobe Paras puts on dunking exhibition)

“UCLA is one of the best and successful schools and they also have good products of players. Secondly, it’s near where he is right now.”

But before thinking about being a college star in the United States or maybe even make it to the NBA, Kobe’s dad wants him to first concentrate on studies and finishing his high school education. 

“He’s only in third year, so I think it’s too early. As of now I always tell him to concentrate on his high school and try to finish it. After that, let’s see.”

The elder Paras, on the other hand, is doing well in the Philippines with his acting jobs for television and assistant coaching gig. 

But being a head coach, at least right now, is not an option – even if his old college, UP, offered the position.

“No, no,” he said about being the main guy calling the shots from the bench. “It’s hard to be a head coach. I just like to be a part of the coaching staff.”

The coaching situation for the UP Maroons is currently a mess, with team manager Dan Palami recently asking for a total revamp of the university’s underperforming basketball program – even if incumbent coach Rey Madrid is still under contract until December 2014.

“I really don’t have any idea,” Paras said about the current issues with University of the Philippines’ basketball squad. “Actually it’s up to them if they will revamp the team from scratch.”

– Rappler.com