Letran Knights against Lyceum Pirates in the NCAA Season 98 Men’s Basketball Finals. NCAA photo.
MANILA, Philippines—As the game was still in the balance, Brent Paraiso excelled at key moments for defending champion Letran to help end the Lyceum in the NCAA Season 98 Finals on Tuesday.
Paraiso scored seven of his nine points during the stretch, including a floating runner who finished the game with 1:03 left as the Knights battled the Pirates for the right to the final third in a row.
However, Paraiso’s heroic performance did not surprise coach Bonnie Tan.
“Brent is the winner. He’s from other schools that have attended other finals. I trust him. He’ll end his final season with a win,” Tan said after Letran’s 67-58 win over Lyceum.
Paraiso was no stranger to winning the UAAP title while he was still a member of La Salle. He also made it to the finals as a key member of the University of Santo Tomas before moving to Letran and adding an NCAA crown last season.
However, Paraiso’s most recent trip to the finals will be his last at the collegiate level, and Tan wants an equally fitting farewell for his graduate defense.
“What I always say to my players is, whatever happens, wherever we go, let’s do our best. Especially now, it was his (Brent) last season,” Tan said.
And Paraiso has no plans to slow down as he is determined to make the most of his remaining games with the Knights.
“I will give my best in every game, especially since it is the knockout stage now. Calm is important. For me, that’s what we have in this game compared to other games, we’re calmer,” he said.
In addition to Paraiso, Fran Yu and Tommy Olivario are also leaving after this season, leaving a big hole in the rotation of Tan’s keeper next season.
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