The 6-foot-5 bruiser personally went to the PBA Office in Libis as one of the first to formally declare for the annual rookie proceedings.

Though more known for his career as an actor, the 25-year-old Paras has still stayed with his first love—basketball.

Paras first played for La Salle Greenhills in high school and started his collegiate career with UP Fighting Maroons back in UAAP Season 76. 

He left the Fighting Maroons after just one season to go to San Beda.

After not making the final roster for the Red Lions’ NCAA Season 91 squad, he then settled to AMA Online Education, playing there from 2017 to 2019.

In 2017, he was also part of Chot Reyes’ Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas pool that competed in the FIBA Asia Champions Cup.

“I think he’s a player,” said Reyes about Paras.

“He has been rebounding well, but he was to work on the other parts of his game, most especially sa kanyang outside shooting since he is an undersized big.”

Moreover, Paras also included in the lineup for Imus during the 2018 MPBL Datu Season.

Paras’ last court exposure was during the 2019 PBA D-League Foundation Cup, where he posted an average of 7.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per contest.

Despite years of inactivity in basketball, the bruiser is still expected to attract interest in the draft, especially if he can recapture the form he showed in the D-League years ago.

The deadline for submission for applications is on Jan. 27, 2021, while the draft will be held on Mar. 14.