Despite the attention, Kobe Paras remains cool in first Gilas stint

TAIPEI – With a headset on and partially covering his face with a yellow baseball cap, this 19-year-old many have tagged to be the next big Philippine cage talent lay in the pre-departure area of Eva Air on Friday afternoon looking as cool as everyone else in the young Gilas Pilipinas 5.0 crew.

Introduced by a team official to members of the media that will cover the 39th Jones Cup starting Saturday here, Kobe Paras grabbed the Inquirer’s hand with both of his for a firm handshake and quickly obliged an ambush interview that explained why he looked as collected as he did.

Kobe Paras and the rest of the Gilas Pilipinas team arrive Friday afternoon for the Jones Cup Invitational. Photo by Musong Castillo

“I have none,” Paras said when asked what his expectations are as he sees action as a National player in a men’s tournament for the first time. “I have no expectations, because every time I play, I leave it all on the floor and give it my all.

“I take it quarter by quarter and I play to win,” he added.

Paras more or less knows that a lot of eyes will be on him starting with the Filipinos’ clash with Canada 150 at 3 p.m. on Saturday at Taipei Peace International Basketball Hall.

And at such a young age, Paras said that he has gotten used to all the attention.

Source: http://sports.inquirer.net/256482/despite-attention-kobe-paras-remains-cool-first-gilas-stint