Before Benjie Paras became a four-time PBA champion, two-time MVP and Rookie of the Year in the pros, a cornerstone of UP basketball, and a celebrated actor, he was first a lanky and a happy-go-lucky teenager in his hometown.
And he credited San Beda University (then San Beda College) and the NCAA for lighting the fire in him.
In his guest appearance on 'Rise Up Stronger: NCAA Season 96', Paras, 52, recalled how he was discovered by San Beda coaches while playing in a barangay-level fixture.
Standing 6-foot-2 at just 13 years old, he was then invited to attend tryouts for San Beda's high school team, the Red Cubs, and so he did. After a few sessions passed, he was the only one recruited.
"I was just at the right place and at the right time," Paras told hosts Martin Javier and Sophia Senoron.
"They werere doing basketball clinics in our barangay and then the coach saw me and he asked me if I would want to play for San Beda and I promptly said yes. Every week they would eliminate one applicant until I was the only one left."
Paras, billed as the 'Tower of Power', immediately showed his wares and helped lead the school to the 1982 NCAA men's basketball title, opening up doors of opportunities for himself.
It was also in the San Beda halls where he formed an unmatched bond with good pal Ronnie Magsanoc, whom he teamed up with from their days in UP, Philippine Amateur Basketball League (PABL), and in the national team.
They also emerged as teammates when they both stepped onto the PBA stage.
For Paras, all these were the fruits of his decision to don the San Beda jersey early in his career.
"To put it simply, joining San Beda and the NCAA was the start of my basketball journey."
Watch the 'Rise Up Stronger: NCAA Season 96' on GTV which airs every weekday (3:00 p.m.), Saturdays (4:30 p.m.), and Sundays (5:05 p.m.) on GTV.
—Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA News
