Black-Eyed Kobe Paras lifts LA Cathedral to State regional semis

MANILA, Philippines -- Kobe Paras dished out a double-double while playing almost on a single vision as he led the LA Cathedral Phantoms to a big 84-72 win over Gahr Gladiators at the start of the CIF State Regional playoffs on Saturday night (Sunday morning Manila time) at Monrovia High School gym in California. 

Despite his right eye almost shut and bloodied in the second quarter, Paras proved unstoppable and stuffed the stats sheet with an unofficial tally of 27 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and two blocks. 

Hard fought game but #infair @Im_Not_Kobe made most of his free throws with one eye. #CIFState pic.twitter.com/n0y0XktpUv

— Steve Angeles (@StevieAngeles) March 15, 2015

The 17-year old Filipino prodigy waxed hot early scoring eight of Phantoms' first 14 points in the game. He already had 13 towards the end of the second quarter when he was roughed up and nursed a swollen and bloodied right eye the rest of the game. 

Looks like Ghar playing hack-a-Kobe his right eye roughed up all 5 of @Im_Not_Kobe 2q pts via free throws pic.twitter.com/pPnqEpTEuO

— Steve Angeles (@StevieAngeles) March 15, 2015

He had 15 by halftime as the Phantoms were in control, 45-39. 

The Gladiators rallied in the second half and even took a two-point lead, 67-65, with 3:43 left. But Lucas Siewert hit a trey then Paras made a three-point play as LA Cathedral played with poise down the stretch to seal the win. 

The Phantoms will host Alemany Warriors, who squeezed out a 59-58 win against Sonora Raiders in the other playoff game, next at home in downton Los Angeles on Tuesday (Wednesday Manila time) in the regional semifinals.