ELEVATION: A Filipino Baller Nearing To Live His NBA Dream

Kobe Paras, a 16 year-old Filipino basketball player with 6 ft 5 in and growing, is in Los Angeles, California, USA playing for a high school team (L.A.Cathedral) and bound for UCLA Bruins (University of California, Los Angeles) — the college basketball team that has produced the likes of Regie Miller, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Bill Walton and Matt Barnes.

He's the youngest son of PBA Legend Benjie Paras.

Credits: Ball Is Life

The young Paras last played for DLSU in the Philippines.

Very much aware of his dreams and abilities, with the help of his family, Kobe is pursuing his dream of playing for NBA.

By watching the video of Ball Is Life, I will not be surprised that he could really be the first Filipino to ever play in the National Basketball Association.

Very evident, he's very much a total package (both offense and defense) — see for yourself in the video below.

3rd Serving of Charity Basketball

Credits: UNTV Cup Facebook Fan Page

AFP Cavaliers, PNP Responders, Judiciary Magis, MMDA Black Wolves, Malacanang Patriots, DOJ Justice Boosters, Senate Defenders, HOR Solons, BFP Fire Fighters, GSIS Furies and NHA Builders — these are the teams composing the 3rd serving of the first public service basketball tournament in the Philippines, the UNTV Cup. 

It started last November 17, 2014 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. 

I haven't made it to the venue but at least I was able to monitor it via its webstreaming at www.untvweb.com.

It was attended and participated by luminaries in the government like Senators Sonny Angara and Senator Ralph Recto, Supreme Court Justice Midas Marquez, TESDA Sec. Joel Villanueva and Representative Niel Tupas. 

Credits: Senator Sonny Angara's Instagram

The tournament, running on its 3rd season, is anchored to public service as it was the brainchild of BMPI-UNTV CEO Daniel Razon, known to be Kuya and Mr. Public Service.

It aims to promote camaraderie among the participating branches of the government and the prize of the winning teams will be donated to the team's chosen beneficiary. 

UNTV Cup's Season 1 champion Judiciary Magis were able to give P1-M pesos to the victims of Zamboanga Siege and Bohol Earthquake. Season 2's champion AFP Cavaliers have donated P1.5-M to AFP-EBSO or the AFP Educational Benefit System Office. The PNP Responders as 1st runner up for seasons 1 and 2, have donated a total of at least P1-M total to its chosen beneficiaries.

Indeed, it's an intelligent alternative for basketball fanatics and a way to break your usual Sunday family afternoon entertainment starting at 2PM.

By the way, you can watch their past games on UNTV Cup's video archive at this link. >>> http://www.untvweb.com/video/untvcup/