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PBA: Paras to Ginebra? Cone says Gin Kings considered drafting Andre

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Camille B. Naredo, ABS-CBN News 

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2020/sports/12/30/pbadleague10.jpg"/><figcaption>Andre Paras in action for AMA Online Education in the PBA D-League in this file photo.<em> PBA Media Bureau</em></figcaption></figure></div><p><br/>MANILA, Philippines -- Andre Paras waited until the third round of the PBA Season 46 Rookie Draft to hear his name called by the Blackwater Bossing.</p><p>But according to Barangay Ginebra coach Tim Cone, they were seriously considering taking the 25-year-old big man with the final pick of the first round.</p><p>Paras, the son of PBA basketball icon Benjie, had worked out with the Gin Kings ahead of the draft and Cone had been impressed with his hustle and rebounding ability.</p><p>&quot;He has a big rep as a big time rebounder, and rebounders always excite me. I always get real excited about having rebounders on the team, I think they&#x27;re very hard to groom,&quot; Cone explained during an appearance on &quot;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrKdcP5GmZI&amp;ab_channel=OnePH">The Chasedown</a>&quot; recently.</p><p>Even as he made a name for himself in showbiz, Paras still pursued his basketball career and suited up for AMA Online Education in the PBA D-League and Imus in the MPBL. He gained a reputation as a workhorse, and averaged 7.0 points and 6.7 rebounds per game when he last played in the 2019 PBA D-League Foundation Cup.</p><p>While there were those who criticized Paras&#x27; decision to enter the draft, Cone admitted that they were looking at selecting him at 12th overall.</p><p>&quot;We really considered him, picking him,&quot; he said.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/03/28/21/pba-andre-paras-vows-full-commitment-to-basketball-career">READ: Andre Paras vows full commitment to basketball career</a></li></ul><p>Ultimately, however, Ginebra went with former Far Eastern University big man Ken Holmqvist. According to Cone, Holmqvist offered more versatility than Paras and was of similar mold to Ginebra stalwart Joe Devance.</p><p>&quot;You know me, how much I love Joe and how big he is in our system,&quot; said Cone. &quot;We felt, he might be able to fill in for Joe in that role.&quot;</p><p>&quot;And then, we wanted to go get a guard afterward,&quot; he added. &quot;Once we got one big guy, we didn&#x27;t wanna get two big guys and overload our lineup.&quot;</p><p>Ginebra took Brian Enriquez with the first pick of the second round before passing in the third, where Blackwater selected Paras with the 27th overall pick.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/03/14/21/pba-blackwater-loads-up-with-torralba-andre-paras-in-2nd-3rd-rounds">READ: Blackwater loads up with Torralba, Andre Paras in 2nd, 3rd rounds</a></li></ul><p>Even if they didn&#x27;t end up taking Paras, Cone believes that the burly forward can make an impact for Blackwater.</p><p>&quot;Andre was one guy we really looked at, really thought about,&quot; he said. &quot;The kid is really driven, especially on the boards, he&#x27;s a monster. We really wanted to take a look at him.&quot;</p><p>Paras, in a previous interview, said he was simply grateful to be in the PBA.</p><p>&quot;It&#x27;s obviously been my dream to play in the pros, and it&#x27;s finally here. I&#x27;m very thankful, because you know, I know Blackwater is an amazing organization, and I&#x27;m very thankful they gave me my home here in the PBA,&quot; he said. </p><div><strong>FROM THE ARCHIVES:</strong></div><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe allow="autoplay; fullscreen" frameBorder="0" height="100%" id="ivsplayer01" scrolling="no" src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/html/iframe-src.html?iframeid=ivsplayer01&amp;key=e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603&amp;spid=3001339&amp;vid=1661286" width="100%"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div>

<p>Andre Paras waited until the third round of the PBA Season 46 Rookie Draft to hear his name called by the Blackwater Bossing.</p>

Andre Paras waited until the third round of the PBA Season 46 Rookie Draft to hear his name called by the Blackwater Bossing.

PBA: Paras to Ginebra? Cone says Gin Kings considered drafting Andre

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PBA: Paras to Ginebra? Cone says Gin Kings considered drafting Andre

Camille B. Naredo,

ABS-CBN News

Published Apr 14, 2021 03:55 PM PHT

Read More:

PBA

Blackwater Bossing

Andre Paras

Barangay Ginebra

Tim Cone

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