By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
Kobe Paras was quick to introduce his name in the Japan B. League after his stunning debut for the Niigata Albirex BB.
After receiving the ball in the right elbow in a hand-off play, Paras began his Japan basketball journey with an early deuce courtesy of a smooth step-back at the top of the key.
As the game went on, Paras surprised and left everyone in awe as he started operating on the offensive end for Niigata that ended in a 25-point explosion along with 4 assists and 2 steals despite the loss against Kyoto Hannaryz, 85-81.
Paras showed everyone what he was capable of as he slashed to the basket at will, sank his three-pointers, and was also a defensive menace for Niigata.
His offensive efficiency helped them stay within striking distance as they competed against a stacked Kyoto team that never went out of firepower until the end.
It was a nip-and-tuck affair as Paras alone answered every Kyoto basket with his own offensive avalanche that even helped Niigata take the lead at the half, 50-41.
It was still the Paras show when the third-quarter started as he kept on draining long threes and attacked the cup for some and-1 opportunities.
However, the Filipino superstar became Kyoto’s focus on the defensive end that left him scoreless in the last 12 minutes of the game.
