Basketball in the Philippines is arguably bigger than anywhere else in the world. It’s the country’s de-facto national sport just by its sheer popularity, as proven by the countless courts at every turn in the archipelago.
Young Filipino kids dream of playing at the Araneta Coliseum, in front of a jam-packed crowd, with thousands of rabid basketball junkies screaming and cheering their lungs out, hoping and praying that the basketball gods bless the players and teams they’re rooting for.
Basketball Dynasties is a series of articles looking at the most prominent hoops families that have, one way or another, been part of Filipino Basketball.
Benjie Paras has been a winner all his life.
Even his long-time teammate Ronnie Magsanoc attests to this. In an interview with ABS-CBN, Magsanoc said that Benjie always had that star-quality to him which seemingly made the people around him better.
Benjie suited up for the Fighting Maroons in the UAAP and delivered their first championship in 1986. (Photo courtesy of Pinoy Exchange)
“Everytime Benjie goes anywhere, he wins.”
Paras then took his talents to Diliman to suit up for the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons.
Benjie played the game with hustle and heart that made him an instant fan-favorite.
In October 1986, Paras finally lived up to his winning ways, delivering UP its first University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) basketball championship.
Facing Jerry Codinera and the three-peat seeking University of the East, Benjie powered the Fighting Maroons to the title in what is still considered as one of, if not, the most defining moments in school history.
Benjie was always a mismatch. Bigger players couldn’t catch up with his speed, while smaller guys had a difficult time with his size.
In the pros, Benjie once again made a splash by being the first player to win the Rookie of the Year and the Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards in the same year. This feat is yet to be repeated by any player in almost three decades.
Benjie was must-see basketball because of his sheer athleticism and dominance over everyone else on the court.
Benjie always had a great time whether it was on the court or off of it. He always had a smile on his face whatever he was doing. (Photo courtesy of CNN Philippines)
Standing at 6’7, Benjie played the center position where he toyed with bigs with his speed, running circles en route to posterizing dunks and highlight jams. He always had the intention of taking his defenders to the rim and slamming the basketball on the top of their heads.
Aside from his physical gifts and offensive prowess, Benjie also had the uncanny ability to perfectly time his blocks and win games on the defensive end.
Benjie won four championships in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) and countless individual accolades. The two-time PBA MVP was plagued with multiple injuries that hindered him from playing at his highest level.
Benjie still has active involvement with the game, particularly as a TV commentator for ABS-CBN’s NBA broadcasts. (Photo courtesy of Ceej Tantengco)
Unable to perform the way he would have liked, Benjie retired from the PBA before the start of the 2003 season. Although his playing days were over, Benjie’s transition into the world of showbiz was effortless.
With a magnetic smile that rivals that of Magic Johnson’s, Benjie would once again captivate the hearts of millions of Filipinos, this time on their favorite entertainment shows.
Benjie was one of the main characters in ABS-CBN’s “Got To Believe”. He played the role of  “Papa Bear” which is a role that has stuck with him even after the show.
With a magnetic smile that rivals that of Magic Johnson’s, Benjie would once again captivate the hearts of millions of Filipinos, this time on their favorite entertainment shows.
Andre
Andre has two distinct personalities – Andre the baller and Andre the actor.
Being the son of Benjie Paras, Andre automatically had to be one of both. He first gave basketball a shot, playing for La Salle Greenhills in high school and UP and San Beda in college.
Andre made his UAAP debut for the Fighting Maroons but failed to get enough playing time to really showcase his skills. (Photo courtesy of HumbleBola)
Playing limited minutes in both of his stints in the Seniors division, Andre tried his hand at acting and immediately became one of the country’s rising stars.
Being blessed with the height and charm from Benjie, Andre has starred in movies and soap operas and appeared in countless commercials.
Andre has the charm and the looks to swoon any Filipina. He’s been with GMA Network for the past two years before making a basketball comeback.
However Andre is no push-over on the court. After being away for two years, Andre got himself back in playing shape and tried basketball again.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BYnYoxHluSW/?hl=en&taken-by=andreparas
Currently, the 6’4 big man is dominating the PBA D-League as a member of AMA Online education. Andre shines brightest on the defensive end where he’s been catching the eye of pro scouts with his knack for rebounding the basketball.
Similar to Benjie’s nose for the ball, Andre seems to always find himself at the right spot for the board. He also utilizes his heft to box out his opponents while jockeying for position in the low block.
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Andre certainly shares his father’s position as well as his defensive prowess. Grabbing 22 rebounds on multiple occasions is an impressive feat especially considering that Andre is only 6’4 and hasn’t touched a basketball prior to his recent play.
He may not have Benjie’s offense, but Andre certainly has the heart and the hustle for the game much like his father’s.
Kobe
Kobe Paras’ welcome-to-the-basketball-world moment came two years ago during a Nike event with LeBron James.
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Thousands of Filipino fans preached the arrival of the country’s basketball messiah via social media. Kobe “dunked on” LeBron at the Mall of Asia Arena, but people from the other side of the world took notice too. Hyperbolic headlines and fuzzy recordings of the moment only added to the lore and fanfare surrounding this young kid from the Philippines.
This is how Kobe’s path to international basketball stardom began. Shortly after, the youngest Paras took his game and fame to Cathedral High School and Middlebrooks Academy in the United States.
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Wowing even American scouts with his high-flying dunks and acrobatic plays, Kobe earned himself various Division 1 scholarships from prestigious programs such as UCLA. Kobe eventually played his rookie year with the Creighton Blue Jays before transferring to Cal State Northridge.
On the international stage, Kobe has represented the flag and country in various FIBA competitions. He’s won a FIBA dunk contest and posterized many opponents while donning the Philippine jersey.
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Kobe’s game is predicated on his athleticism and daredevil approach to the game. Much like Benjie, who would always to throw it down than just lay it in, Kobe has this desire to just dunk on as many people as possible. This guy’s not afraid of the contact and even absorbs elbows and body checks with such grace to still convert on his attempts.
Perhaps the biggest difference between Kobe and Benjie would be the positions they play on the basketball court. Kobe loves operating on the wings, looking for the slightest advantage he can capitalize on for a crowd-roaring slam. Benjie, on the other hand, uses his muscle and build to back up defenders in the paint for a powerful jam.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BWxSUcrFsVR/?hl=en&taken-by=_kokoparas
Proving he’s not a one-trick pony, Kobe inherited his father’s knack for rejecting shots and defending the rim. In his most recent campaign with Gilas Pilipinas, Kobe was soaring not just for highlight dunks, but also for emphatic rejections.
Kobe would send unexpecting players reeling back while he swatted the ball up the second row in the stands. Kobe seemingly enjoys a momentum-shifting swat as much as he would revel in a jaw-dropping slam.
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Nonetheless the “Tower of Power” must be extremely proud of his boys for being excellent both on and off the court. Andre has made his mark on the Philippine entertainment industry while still being a stud on the basketball court. Kobe, on the other hand, is taking the Philippines with him as he chases the country’s most elusive quest of finally seeing a home-grown kababayan take the court in the game’s brightest stage of the National Basketball Association.
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