Kobe Paras helps LA Cathedral win title

MANILA, Philippines -- Kobe Paras endured a foul-plagued game and still finished in double figures to help the LA Cathedral Phantoms capture the 10th San Fernando Valley Invitational title at the expense of hard-luck Chaminade Eagles, 65-63, on Tuesday (Wednesday Manila time) at the Alemany High School gym.  

LA Cathedral point guard Milan Acquaah made a buzzer-beating triple to save the Phantoms from what could have been a heartbreaking collapse as Paras struggled due to quick fouls after a hot start. 

My boi @MilanAcquaah is clutch!! The one and only acuamannnn

— Kobe™ (@Im_Not_Kobe) December 24, 2014

Paras, who scored a tournament-high 30 points in their semifinal win against Alemany Warriors, took from where he left off as he made all the Phantoms' first seven points in the game. But two quick fouls forced him to sit on the bench and missed the entire second quarter.  His teammates picked up the cudgels and built a 36-26 halftime lead.

Paras scored on a follow-up at the start of the third quarter as the Phantoms extended their lead to 14, 40-26. The Filipino prodigy was starting to hit his groove when he was intentionally fouled to stop his breakaway dunk. He was called for a technical foul after clapping right in the face of Chaminade's Michael Oguine to pick up his third foul and tilted the momentum in favor of the Eagles. 

As Paras rode the bench anew in the final 4:47 of the third quarter, Chaminade made their move and cut the once imposing double digit deficit to just one basket, 48-46, entering the fourth quarter. The Eagles continued their onslaught and established their biggest lead, 57-49, with 5:25 remaining and Paras saddled with his fourth foul.

Oguine, who was celebrating his 18th birthday, took charge for the Eagles pouring in 11 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter as they took a seven-point lead, 63-56, in the final 2:37 of the championship game. Paras came in and helped the Phantoms erased the deficit culminating in the game-winning three-pointer by Acquaah at the top of the key. 

Oguine took the MVP honors despite the loss while Paras, who finished the tournament with 16-point per game avergae, joined him in the All-Tournament team. 

Paras went to Twitter to show his admiration to Chaminade's sixth man -- the Student Section -- who got into their nerves and sparked the Eagles' big comeback.

Great win! Thank you to everyone who watched! & a big s/o to Chaminade and the chaminade SS! I hope my school has a SS section like that

— Kobe™ (@Im_Not_Kobe) December 24, 2014

The 17-year-old son of former PBA Rookie-MVP Benjie Paras also thanked his LA Cathedral coach William Middlebrooks for his marked improvement and for the All-Tournament selection.

Always listen to your coach no matter what. They're more experienced and they know whats happening. Trust & communication is all you need.

— Kobe™ (@Im_Not_Kobe) December 24, 2014

Wouldn't have this without @coachmiddlebrks pic.twitter.com/dcKKwCvPM9

— Kobe™ (@Im_Not_Kobe) December 24, 2014