MANAMA (Bahrain) - This is not going to be your typical Philippines national team at the FIBA Asia Cup 2021 Qualifiers. They’re going to be talented as usual, but one thing that will stand out is just how young the players will be. There’s a chance that none of the players that take the court in this window will be over 25 years old.

That might be why the faithful Gilas fans are highly anticipating the time for the games to begin. It will be a moment that signals the arrival of a new wave of players, on their way towards national team stardom and glory.

The players can’t wait to get back on the court either, considering how long it has been.

"It feels great," said Kobe Paras, a rising Filipino youngster who has had the spotlight fixated on him throughout his youth.

Paras also noted the lengthy absence of basketball in everyone’s’ lives, but adds that he’s "just grateful for the opportunity to represent the flag once again with my teammates and coaches."

Fans have seen Paras suit up for the national team every once in a while, but never for the national team at a senior men’s FIBA Asia event. The excitement for his debut is mutual.

"I just feel really grateful," Paras emphasizes once again. "Anyone in my country would want to be in my position. The least I can do is play hard every game and represent the country the right way while playing with my teammates."

Though the 23-year-old has been known for high-flying antics ever since high school, he doesn’t expect his first basket to be a thunderous jam. It would probably be nice, but Paras is focusing more on the bigger picture.

"I hope I get an assist first or even a rebound. There’s more to basketball than just getting buckets," the 1.98M (6'6") forward humbly said.

Paras knows that there will be a lot of excitement and anticipation for his first basket (or assist or rebound). He knows what it’s like to have fans hyped up for a certain moment, game, or player. He’s a kid who plays basketball and is named Kobe, so of course he gets it. But for these upcoming games, he just wants the fans to sit back, relax, and enjoy.

"…I would just tell the fans to appreciate what they see and just watch. I always tell people this; Your expectations, your disappointment," he said, also mentioning the time the team has been away from the court prior to preparations.

Nonetheless, Kobe Paras is expected to be ready to shine. He’s long been a part of the national team program and has soaked in great advice and experience from the many talented veterans around him.

"Matthew Wright, Gabe Norwood, and Kiefer Ravena are some of the seniors that I get to talk to. We don’t talk very often but we all have an understanding on what it takes to represent the country," he said.

Paras will have his turn to lead and hand over advice in this window as one of the relatively older and more experienced players on the squad. He’ll one of the driving forces for the team as they go up against a familiar foes in the upcoming days when the Philippines face Thailand on both November 27 and 30.

The athletic wing was quick to praise Thailand as one of the "great teams managed by amazing coaches" and that they "play hard" and "play the right way".

"I’m just excited to compete."

It all comes back to the that. The excitement.
Kobe is excited to compete.
We’re pretty sure the fans are excited to watch him and the Philippines give it all they’ve got as well.

FIBA