Benjie Paras in LA to check on Pacquiao, son Kobe

HOLLYWOOD – A black SUV rolled into the Wild Card Gym’s parking gates, a familiar face sitting in the driver’s seat.

PBA legend Benjie Paras is hitting two birds with one stone in his trip to town – to check on his son and basketball prodigy Kobe, and drop by Manny Pacquiao’s training.

The only player in PBA history to simultaneously win the Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player awards watched Pacquiao spar, then was about to leave when he was cornered by Filipino scribes for a brief chat.

“I’ve been here for two weeks,” said Paras. “I’m visiting Kobe, he’ll be graduating this May.”

Paras said his son, who suited up for Cathedral High School in Los Angeles, is heading straight to training with the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) senior men’s basketball team right after graduation.

“He’s on spring break right now but will not be going home in the Philippines. Diretso na sa training with UCLA,” he added.

Asked about his take on Pacquiao’s upcoming fight with Timothy Bradley, Paras’ reply was short and straight.

“Siyempre, Manny pa din ako,” he said.