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Andre Paras 'the biggest steal' in Rookie Draft, says Blackwater owner

Sports | Basketball

Andre Paras 'the biggest steal' in Rookie Draft, says Blackwater owner

By Waylon Galvez

Photo from PBA

Blackwater owner Dioceldo Sy is a happy man.

The amiable longtime basketball patron has reasons to be ecstatic as the franchise got Andre Paras in the 46th PBA Rookie Draft Sunday, March 14, in a virtual procedure held at TV5 in Mandaluyong City.

“I’m happy to get what we need in our team… probably the biggest steal in this year’s Draft,” said Sy – whose ball club now carries the moniker Bossing – in an exchange of messages with Manila Bulletin.

Paras, son of PBA legend and two-time MVP Benjie Paras, was selected by Blackwater 27th overall in the draft, third in the third round. He played college ball for University of the Philippines and San Beda University, and recently with the Imus Bandera in the MPBL.

Aside from being a basketball player, he also dabbles as an actor with several television series hits with GMA-7 and several comedy flicks with the network and VIVA Films.

That aspect is what likewise excites Sy since his company has wellness products not only for women but men.

“Poging Bossing… lots of pogi now on our team. But now it’s Bossing,” said Sy, referring to David Semerad who the team obtained in a three-team trade with TNT and NLEX last week.

The 25-year-old Paras is expected to add ceiling for coach Nash Racela’s frontline rotation, which also has Semerad, Carl Bryan Cruz, Frank Golla, Marion Magat, Richard Escoto, Brian Faundo and veteran KG Canaleta.

The team also selected in the draft ReyMark Acuno of University of the East and Joshua Torralba of De La Salle in the second round, as well as Jun Manzo of UP in the fourth round.

Related Tags

Andre Paras Blackwater Elite Dioceldo Sy

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