Kobe Paras thankful for 'amazing journey' in UAAP

University of the Philippines prized recruit Kobe Paras said he is grateful for his first season in the UAAP.

In an interview with reporters after their loss against UST, the second-generation Paras said losing will always be one of his life's challenges. "We fought hard. It hurts, but it's basketball," Paras said.

"I take losing as a big challenge for me in my life but this is an amazing journey. I'm grateful for the UAAP, grateful for you guys. I'm really grateful for what happened today," he added.

However, in the season he played for the Diliman-based squad, Kobe said he learned how to be appreciative.

"I've learned to love myself and be more appreciative of what I have," he shared. "You have to be grateful for what you have, you can't be fishing what you don't have because you'll never be complete. I'm just grateful."

"This is my fourth college. What I learned is to be grateful for what I have. My plan A didn't work, this is my plan B. My plan B is still dreams for a lot of people. I'm just grateful that I'm here and show what I got," he added.

Paras even tweeted his appreciation for the Fighting Maroons fans.

Words can’t express how grateful I am for all those who supported UP this season!
Every game felt like a home game.

UP, thank you so much for welcoming me with open arms.

To all the schools we played this season, thank you for the exciting battles!

UAAP, thank you as well!
???? https://t.co/LKGbsKD5ZM

— KoKo Wave (@_kokoparas) November 13, 2019

He also showed appreciation to his coach, Bo Perasol. "I just want to say thank you to coach Bo. Without him, I wouldn't be in this position," he said. 

After an exhilarating schedule, Kobe said he wants to take a rest and recover for now.

"This season's this season. I don't know what's gonna happen next season. Right now, I just wanna take a break and enjoy life," he said.

"I'm beat up, I'm injured. I just have to recover. This season was the quickest season I ever had," Paras added.

And for the Mythical Five award, Paras said he dedicates it to the UP community.

On UST and UST head coach Aldin Ayo

UST swept UP in all their games this season, and for Kobe, at least for this game, it was all about execution. "We just didn't make it. Like what Coach Aldin said when they won, it's about execution," he said.

Paras also praised UST head coach Aldin Ayo and his squad for giving them one memorable battle.

"Coach Aldin's a great coach. I've been watching his games when he was still in La Salle, in the NCAA, he's a great coach. He really changed UST. He has great players. I'm really happy that I went up against Coach [Ayo] and his amazing players," shared Paras. — BAP, GMA News