From Bench to Spotlight: Paranada’s Impactful Minutes for UST

It’s clear that the UST Growling Tigers roster includes a diversely talented group of players. This depth has pushed them to explore new solutions and strategies in their pursuit of a Final Four berth. Who has Coach Pido Jarencio trusted more in the second round of UAAP Season 87? None other than Kyle Paranada.

Despite a 67-62 loss to the NU Bulldogs, Paranada was a bright spot for UST. Coach Jarencio fielded him for 16 minutes, and the young guard delivered an efficient outing.

“Obviously, it feels good to play more on the court. But, I just want to help my teammates win. When I’m on the court, that’s all I want to do,” said Paranada.

He added that the trust Coach Pido has in him greatly impacted his performance against the Bulldogs. “I feel like he trusts me a lot with the ball, and to make great plays for my teammates.”

By the end of the matchup, Paranada had tallied eight points, shooting an impressive 60% from the field. He also displayed significant improvement in his outside shooting, knocking down 66.7% of his attempts, demonstrating great maturity in his shot selection.

Paranada’s role was limited during the first round of the eliminations, but he shared that he remained patient and trusted the system the coaches have in place.

“I’m actually patient because I know I’m… Actually, I can’t say it, but I’m patient. It’s okay with me. I just listen to the coaches,” he explained. “If they don’t want to play me, it’s okay. Whatever they decide, I’m patient.”

Paranada will play a crucial role in UST’s upcoming games as they strive for a Final Four spot, beginning with their matchup against his former team, the UE Red Warriors. He is confident that the Growling Tigers will continue to grow stronger through hard work and mutual trust.

“My teammates, we all trust each other. We’re brothers, so we lift each other up. We [will] keep our heads up and move forward,” Paranada shared.