MANILA, Philippines -- Kobe Paras' big game was not enough to save the LA Cathedral Phantom's season.
Despite Paras hitting four triples en route to a 23-point output, the Phantoms fell to Damien Spartans in the California Interscholastic Foundation (CIF) Division III state regional finals, 68-62, on Saturday night (Sunday Manila time), in Ontario, California.
The season came to an end for Paras and the Phantoms as they fell to several double digit deficits. Paras tried to rally his team back after staring at at 11-point deficit, 55-44, with 4:23 left in the game. The Filipino prodigy made a three-pointer to cut it to seven, 62-55, in the 2:21 mark of the game, but the Spartans played with a championship poise down the stretch to fend off the Phantoms' late-game rally.
Paras made it to the CIF-State Mythical Team after finishing with 23 points on 7-of-19 shooting on top of five boards, one assist and two shot blocks.
The Phantoms also drew 17 points from Washington State-bound Milan Acquaah.
Bryce Peters led the Spartans who moved on to the State Championship with 20 points on 7-of-12 shooting while Jeremy Hemsley had 17 points, seven rebounds and eight assists. Malik Fitts also contributed to the Spartans's cause with 15 and seven boards.
The Spartans will play Campolindo Cougars in the state championship after beating the Sierra Stallions in their own regional finals, 73-61.