Kobe Paras makes up for uneventful debut with Phantoms

MANILA, Philippines – Kobe Paras bounced back from a lackluster season debut as he helped the LA Cathedral Phantoms go 3-0 with a huge 104-74 rout of St. Genevieve Valiants Friday night (Saturday Manila time) in the San Fernando Valley Invitational at the Granada Hills High School gym in California.

Paras had another poor start and sat most of the first half after picking up two quick fouls. But the 6-foot-7 Filipino phenom made up for lost time scoring eight points, including an alley oop dunk in the first two and a half minutes of the second half.

The UCLA-bound Paras wound up with 18 points and sealed the big win with two straight emphatic slams heading into the final two minutes of the game.

Brazilian big man Leandro Amador exploded for 27 points to lead the way for the Phantoms while his sweet-shooting compatriot Lucas Siewert chipped in 18.

Matt Reyes had 15 in a losing effort for the Valiants, who slipped to 4-2 win-loss card.