WATCH: Kobe Paras dedicates SEA Games Gold win to Marawi soldiers

During the 29th Southeast Asian Games held in Kuala Lumpur, Kobe Paras joined the Philippine Team, Gilas Pilipinas, for the basketball competition. At the young age of 19, Kobe scored 14 points during the team's match against Indonesia, this is second to Mike Tolomia who scored 20 points for Gilas.

Kobe then dedicates his Gilas stint to the people close to him, and to the soldiers in Marawi. He explained, "When I won the gold medal, it's not just for me or my family, it's for the people who sacrificed their heart and soul just to have peace [in] the Philippines. It's for all the people supporting me, and for all the soldiers in Marawi."

The young athlete also has a message for those who want to pursue professional basketball.
He said, "When people are telling you, 'You can't do this, you can't do that.' Don't listen to them. Because if you have a dream, as cliche as it sounds, you gotta chase it and you just got to take chances in life."

Watch Cata Tibayan's full report in 24 Oras:

Video courtesy of GMA News