Kobe-Kiefer Connection Comes Up Clutch As Philippines Win 3x3 World Cup Opener

Kobe Paras made good on his first game as a member of a senior Philippine team, leading Chooks-Pililpinas 3x3 to a pulsating 21-15 victory against Romania Saturday (Sunday, PHL Time) in the pool play of the 2017 FIBA 3x3 World Cup in Nantes, France.

Struggling all game long against the size of the Romanians, the 19-year-old Paras took over for the Filipinos in the clutch, tying the game at 13 with less than two minutes to go.

Paras deferred to Kiefer Ravena a little bit after that, letting the former two-time UAAP MVP give the Philippines a 17-13 advantage following an and-one and an open shot from deep.

However, with 30 seconds to go, Kobe channeled his inner Black Mamba to lead the national 3x3 team to victory, burying a cold-blooded two-point shot from way out before icing the game with two free throws from the stripe.