Kobe Paras hits 18 as Phantoms reach State Regional Finals

MANILA, Philippines -- Kobe Paras hit 18 points to help the LA Cathedral Phantoms reach the California Interscholastic Foundation (CIF) State Regional Finals with a 72-64 victory over Alemany Warriors on Tuesday (Wednesday Manila time) at Monrovia High School gym in West Colorado California.

Paras showed he's not just a one-dimensional player by hitting four triples in this knockout game. The 17-year old Filipino basketball prodigy, more known for his highlight dunks, is now ranked by ESPN as the 25th best player in California and 44th top small forward in the high school class of 2016.

The UCLA-bound Paras made eight of his total points in the fourth quarter where the Phantoms fended off the Warriors' rally.

Alemany came within two points with an 8-0 blitz in less than 30 seconds with more than three minutes left in the game. But LA Cathedral led by Paras and Milan Acquaah, who topscored with 25 points, steadied down the stretch to pull off the big win that pushed them to the Final Four of the 28-team tournament.

The Phantoms will face Damien Spartans, who routed Cantwell-Sacred Heart Cardinals, 63-41, in the other semis match-up, in the State Regional Finals on Saturday (Sunday Manila time) at Colony High School gym in Ontario, California.

The winner will move to the CIF State Championship against the survivor of the other State Regional Finals between Drake Pirates and Campolindo Cougars.