After a colorful collegiate run that saw him make five finals appearances across different leagues and win three titles in the process, Colegio de San Juan de Letran's Brent Paraiso is now setting his sights on the next big thing.
The veteran combo guard said playing in the biggest basketball stage in the country has been his goal ever since and now that he has capped off his long college career, Paraiso is looking to make the jump to the PBA.
"Siyempre, 'yan naman ang goal natin mula bata eh, umabot sa PBA," the 6-foot-2 Paraiso shared.
Paraiso has three championship rings under his belt, some of which he achieved in different schools.
He joined De La Salle University as a rookie back in UAAP Season 79, where the Green Archers disposed of rival Ateneo de Manila University to rule the tourney. La Salle and Ateneo then met again in the finals of the following season but it was the Blue Eagles who prevailed this time around as Paraiso played alongside Ben Mbala, Ricci Rivero, and Kib Montalbo.
Paraiso sat out Season 81 to serve a one-year residency before playing for University of Santo Tomas in Season 82, which saw the Growling Tigers face Ateneo in that year's championship round and fell in two games.
After just a year at España, Paraiso, alongside other former teammates, decided to transfer to various schools and in his case, he found his way to Letran.
At Letran, Paraiso became champion once again after helping the Knights cop two titles in NCAA Season 97 and 98 as part of a three-peat.
"Sobrang saya kasi last year ko na eh, tapos nag-champion pa. Nag-simula ako, nag-champion kami, rookie [year] ko sa La Salle. Natapos, champion pa din. Napakasarap sa pakiramdam," Paraiso said.
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
