MANILA, Philippines -- Kobe Paras and the LA Cathedral Phantoms go for broke when they attempt for the third time to finally beat top seed Bishop Montgomery Knights.
Kobe, the 17-year old son of PBA Rookie-MVP Benjie Paras has been instrumental in the Phantoms' playoff run. The 6-6 junior standout from the Philippines is averaging 15.1 points, 4.1 rebounds, one assist and 2.5 steals in 23 games for LA Cathedral which finished the regular season with 19-6 win-loss record to advance to the playoffs.
Paras scored 13 points including three clutch baskets to help the Phantoms overcome Redondo Union Sea Hawks in the first round. The win set them up with a third meeting against the Knights.
The Phantoms are eyeing to to exact payback after two heartbreaking losses at the hands of the Knights in the regular season.
Paras had nine points, all in the second half, while his Brazilian teammate Lucas Siewert exploded for 27 points as the Phantoms tried to rally from 12 points down but fell short as Knights won their first meeting, 80-76. In their second meeting at LA Cathedral homecourt, they came close again to beating the Knights but a 7-0 finishing kick in the final 53 seconds broke the 69-all deadlock and the hearts of the Phantoms. Paras scored 18 in a losing effort.
Paras, thru the Phantoms Facebook page, is inviting all Filipinos in Southern California to watch them play in the second round of the CIF Open Division playoffs against the Knights on Wednesday Los Angeles time (Thursday Manila time) 7 p.m. at Monrovia High School.
Watch Paras' highlights against Bishop Montgomery this season in these videos uploaded on Youtube by Qwik11: