FIBA Asia U-18: Kobe Paras admits getting hurt by bashers over Batang Gilas stint

Rising star Kobe Paras admitted that he's hurt when he hears bashers putting down his game during his ongoing stint with the Philippine national youth team.

 

"Sa mga nagsasabi na parang hindi ko po kaya, parang nasasama yung loob ko kasi parang, naglalaban na po kami para sa inyo eh," said Paras in an interview with GMA News.

 

 

Paras is part of the Batang Gilas squad currently competing in the FIBA Asia Under-18 Championship.

 

He has been a key cog for the squad, providing length and athleticism for the undersized squad. Paras said he doesn't mind the fact that he plays only about 16 minutes per game so far in the competition.

 

"Hindi naman sa minutes yun, tsaka wala naman akong paki kasi kami, kaming lahat naglalaban po kami para sa bansa po namin eh," said Paras, who plays high school basketball for Cathedral High in Los Angeles.

 

Batang Gilas coach Jamike Jarin noted that Paras was just part of a larger collective.

 

"First and foremost, this is not Kobe Paras's team, so we talked about it. This is the Philippine team. Kobe Paras is one of the players here, and we have 12 other young kids who are ready to perform," he said.

 

Heart versus height

 

Kobe's father Benjie Paras is with the team serving as an assistant coach. The past few games has allowed the PBA legend to assess the squad.

 

"Nakikita naman natin na lumalaban yung mga bata. Although siyempre yung problema natin dito is height, pero andun naman yung speed," said Benjie.

 

Kobe, for his part, promised that the team will give their all for its remaining games, including a knockout quarterfinals showdown against Chinese Taipei.

 

"Gagalingan po (namin) sa mga games at saka dito sa tournament na ito," said the younger Paras. — JST, GMA News