Kobe Paras: I think I've earned my way to Gilas

Donning the Philippine colors since he was 15 years old, Kobe Paras on Wednesday said his inclusion to the Gilas Pilipinas pool is the basketball gods' way of rewarding his efforts.

"I think I’ve earned my way to Gilas," Paras told reporters during the send-off of the Philippine team for the 2017 FIBA 3x3 World Cup.

Paras made the remark following the invitation of Gilas coach Chot Reyes for him to join the team's practices.

Gilas resumes practice June 20 & we're calling in Jio,Mike,Almond,Ed,RR,Matt,Von,Kev,Carl,Mac,Fonz,Kief,Reymar, Kobe & Christian to action

— Chot Reyes (@coachot) June 9, 2017

Paras, who recently transferred to US NCAA Division I school Cal State Northridge, said he felt elated when he learned the invitation of Reyes.

"I was excited. I’ve been representing the country when I was 15 and never one time I asked a coach if I could join the team or kahit hindi ako magpractice kasama ba ako," he said.

"Ang dami ko na ginawa para sa country so I think it's just right na I move up to a higher competition ng basketball. I’m happy na coach Chot called me," the son of former Philippine Basketball Association most valuable player Benjie added.

The 6-foot-6 Paras was not part of the training pool of Gilas Pilipinas released by the Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas before the tweet of Reyes. 

Asked if how he can cope up with practices here in the Philippines, Paras replied that he will talk to his professors and Cal State Matadors coach Reggie Theus who allowed him to suit up for Gilas as long as he maintains good grades.

"Coach Reggie told me that as long as your grades are up. Saka it’s the country, you’ll never say no to that," Paras said.

Paras will sit out the 2017-2018 season of the US National Collegiate Athletic Association following his transfer from the Creighthton Bluejays. —JST, GMA News