UAAP 82: Paras held to season low; Perasol cites injury for Kobe struggles

MANILA, Philippines—University of the Philippines (UP) suffered a huge loss to University of Santo Tomas on Sunday — the third time in UAAP Season 82 that the Maroons had bowed to the Growling Tigers.

It was an especially costly defeat for UP, however, as the 89-69 result meant that UST forced a do-or-die game for the last spot in the best-of-3 finals.

One reason for UP's defeat? UST's defense limited their star forward, Kobe Paras, to a season-low nine points on just 4-of-13 shooting from the field. It is the first time in his UAAP career that Paras had scored in single digits.

On the other end, Paras was assigned to defend UST big man Soulemane Chabi Yo. He limited the Beninese player to just four points on 2-of-4 shooting through the first three quarters, but Chabi Yo broke loose in the final frame for 13 points on 5-of-5 shooting from the field.

Paras politely declined interviews after the game, but UP head coach Bo Perasol won't deny that they sorely missed the athletic forward's production.

"Well he’s really struggling, kasi the truth of the matter is, kahit nagpahinga siya, talagang he’s really struggling with his injury," said Perasol, referring to the shoulder injury that Paras has been dealing with for most of the second round.

"Pinipilit niya lang talaga," he added. "So there were a lot times that he wasn’t able to practice."

Paras averaged 17.4 points and 5.67 rebounds per game in the elimination round, en route to a Mythical Team citation in Season 82. 

Perasol said he knows that if UP is to finally beat UST and make a return trip to the finals, the team cannot afford for Paras to be at less than his best.

"That's a reality of the game," Perasol said of the injury that Paras is dealing with. "We just have to play through that, no matter what happens."

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