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Andre Paras always ends his text message to his father, basketball legend-turned-actor Benjie Paras, with the words “I love you.”

The 25-year-old Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) rookie made this revelation during a guesting on Rise Up Stronger: NCAA Season 96.

“It's more of, 'di ba usually tayo [we say] 'yes po, 'opo,' ginagawa kong 'I love you.' Siyempre may meaning pa rin but just a reminder,” Andre explained to the show's host Sophia Senoron and Martin Javier.

Andre, at one time and probably out of confusion, accidentally texted one of his assistant coaches “I love you” at the end of an exchange.

“Nag-text sa kanya [Andre] ulit ['yong assistance coach], 'Ang sweet mo naman. I love you too,'” Benjie, who played for the San Beda University in high school, funnily recalled.

Benjie also explained why he didn't let his sons - Andre and Kobe - know that he was watching their basketball games when they were just starting with the sport.

“Ganito kasi 'yan, when they started playing for the NCAA, they were in La Salle Green Hills kasi, people were comparing them to me right away, which is very unfair dahil mga bata pa 'yan, e,” Benjie recounted.

“Why would you compare them to me? E, nung naglaro nga ako noon 'di pa naman ako ganun kahilig sa basketball. So 'yon lang, para 'di sila ma-pressure.”

But Benjie, who had a stellar career as a basketball player, did watch Andre and Kobe's games although secretly and from afar.

“'Pag sasabihin nila, 'Dad, we'll go na. Are you going to watch the game?' Sinasabi ko, 'I don't think I can make it, may work ako, e.' Pero during the game, nakatago ako,” Benjie said.

Andre appreciated his dad's gesture to free them from any kind of burden that his presence might bring during actual games.

“I know what he was doing. It was for us na hindi kami ma-pressure but he does watch and it doesn't pressure me kahit nandun siya,” said Andre, who plays power forward for the Blackwater Bossing team in the PBA.

“I know he's there to support and he's doing it for us as well.”

Andre also talked about his dad's hilarious video bombing moment when he was drafted in the PBA last March. Why did Andre call Benjie his lucky charm? Watch the video here:

Catch Rise Up Stronger: NCAA Season 96 on GTV weekdays at 3 p.m. with weeknights replay at 10:50 p.m.

Viewers can get their weekend dose of NCAA during Saturdays at 4:30 p.m., and Sundays at 5:05 p.m.

Meanwhile, Kapuso abroad can catch all the action via GMA Pinoy TV and GMA News TV.

Stay updated on NCAA Philippines via its mobile app on Google and Apple App Stores. Visit NCAA Philippines' official website www.ncaa.com.ph and follow @ncaaphilippines and @gmasynergy on social media.