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Venancio Johnson Paras Jr. (born October 2, 1968), better known as Benjie Paras, is a Filipino actor, comedian, and a retired professional basketball player who played for Shell Turbo Chargers and San Miguel Beermen of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). He is the only PBA player to win both Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player honors, in a single season (1989). As its star center, Paras led the Shell Turbo Chargers to championship titles.
Paras played with the San Beda Red Cubs together with Ronnie Magsanoc and Eric Altamirano.
Paras played for the UP Fighting Maroons in the UAAP. In 1986, the UP Fighting Maroons won the championship. Paras played with Magsanoc, Altamirano, Joey Guanio, and future UP champion head coach Goldwin Monteverde under the guidance of Joe Lipa. [1] [2]
Drafted by the Shell Turbo Chargers [3] in 1989, Paras, aptly nicknamed "The Tower of Power", played in the PBA with ball-handling, powerful rebounding, deft mid-range shooting, well-timed shot blocks and the uncanny ability for inside scoring. Although Shell did not win any titles that season, these abilities overshadowed even the most skilled of players and because of these he not only took Rookie of the Year, but also became its Most Valuable Player. [4] Paras, as of 2020, is the only PBA player to have done this feat.
In 1990, Paras would lead Shell to their first Open Conference title by defeating Anejo Rhum in a championship series [5] that finished in 6 games, the climax featured a walkout by Anejo players. In 1991, Shell and Ginebra would meet again in the Finals of the Reinforced Conference. Paras and the Turbo Chargers seemed poised to beat the Gins once again after taking a commanding 3–1 lead, but the Gins made a dramatic rally and coming back from the 3–1 deficit and winning the title in a classic Game 7 encounter that featured Rudy Distrito's game winner.
In 1992, Paras and the rejuvenated Turbo Chargers, now with Leo Isaac and Rey Cuenco, led Shell to another title, winning it over the San Miguel Beermen. After the 1992 title, Paras and Shell would show inconsistencies as it flirted to the cellars in several occasions. This was also capped with a controversy back in 1993 when Paras sat out for one conference after a contract dispute with Shell that prompted him to demand a trade deal to rival team Anejo Rhum. But after Shell rejected trade offers for their prized center, he decided to concentrate on his movie and TV career. After Paras came back to the team in the 1993 PBA Commissioner's Cup, the team never made it back to the Finals until the 1996 Commissioner's Cup, thanks in part to import Kenny Redfield and supporting casts such as Peter Naron, Richie Ticzon, Victor Pablo, and Jojo Lim. In 1996, they battled the grandslam seeking Alaska Aces, then known as the Alaska Milkmen, in an unbelievable seven-game series which Alaska won. Paras was also a contender to win the MVP in the 1996 season of the PBA.
Paras would then re-enter the Finals 2 years later in the Centennial Cup Finals, this time meeting the Mobiline Phone Pals. In a one-game title showdown, Shell came up short. Paras would get his revenge thanks to the help of Noy Castillo and Gerry Esplana as the rematch was set for the Governor's Cup Finals of the PBA against Mobiline. Shell came back after trailing the series 3 games to 2. Shell and Mobiline battled into a gruelling 7 games until Shell prevailed due to timely baskets by Paras and Esplana.
In 1999, Paras dominated the Filipino-American laden PBA by leading Shell to another Finals appearance, this time against Tanduay Rhum Makers bannered by Fil-Am Eric Menk and the deported Sonny Alvarado. Paras held his own against the two taller, stronger and more athletic Fil-Ams as he led Shell to another title winning it 4–2. That would be Paras' last title, as his team was unable to stop the San Miguel Beermen in the title showdown for the Commissioner's Cup. Paras would win his 2nd MVP since 1989.
During the 2000s, Paras played in 44 games and had ongoing injuries. In 2003, Paras ended his basketball career. However, he returned later in the year, suiting up for San Miguel Beer before retiring once again at the end of the season. Paras accumulated 10,322 career points throughout his 574 games. [6]
Paras was also selected to play in the 1990 Asian Games Basketball Team that won the silver medal, but the team came up short against China in the gold-medal match.
In 2013, Paras returned to basketball as an assistant coach for the San Beda Red Lions. [7] In 2014, Paras became one of the members of the PBA Legends Team that played in Asia Tour Singapore. [8]
Paras retired in 2003, ending his 14-year career with the Philippine Basketball Association and became an actor. [9] He recently played for NBA Asia Challenge in 2011 with his fellow former and current PBA Stars and NBA Stars.
He has acted in local films and television shows. He appeared in Narito Ang Puso Ko , his first drama series on GMA Network, he also appeared in a former sitcom, Lagot Ka, Isusumbong Kita , a weekly sitcom by GMA and also starred in Encantadia , as the Ascano barbarian, Wahid. He was also the host of ABC's local version of Guinness Book of Records. He also flexed his acting muscles by playing offbeat roles in Lupin (as Richard Gutierrez's gay inmate) and Fantastic Man (as one of Mark Herras' villains). In late 2007, he became one of main casts in Ramon "Bong" Revilla's movie, Resiklo , which is an entry in Metro Manila Film Festival. He was also the main host for the short-lived late night ABC 5 (now TV5) game show, WinWinWin. In November 2007, he was cast as one of the fictional characters for Richard Gutierrez's former fantaserye on GMA 7, Kamandag , as Haring Dinggol, king of the human-apes. Paras recently finished his GMA 7 comedy teleserye, Adik Sa'Yo with Marvin Agustin and Jolina Magdangal. Benjie Paras also worked with boxer Manny Pacquiao in a GMA 7 Sitcom, Show Me Da Manny. Paras was back again on GMA Telebabad for the role as a villain in a recent drama-fantaserye, The Last Prince . Benjie returns to comedy via a reality comedy show, Ang Yaman ni Lola . Benjie returns once again in a 1st Christmas reality show and is now included in a newest GMA 7 Christmas reality show, Puso Ng Pasko: Artista Challenge which he was a challenger. Benjie returns to drama again via Bantatay which he plays Jace Ventura, a pet detective. Benjie is now on his former show a horror-comedy anthology, Spooky Nights Presents: The Ringtone. Benjie returns to comedy again and his 4th fantaserye Alice Bungisngis And Her Wonder Walis in 2012.
Paras played as the best friend of Vic Sotto in the movie Iskul Bukol 20 Years After (Adventures of Vic Ungasis and the Escalera Brothers) and the best friend of Vhong Navarro's best friend in the movie My Only U .
In mid-2012, Benjie Paras returned to the drama again in a romantic teleserye One True Love .
Paras is married to Lyxen Diomampo, a former pre-school teacher and commercial model. They have two sons, Riley and Sam, and a daughter, Georja. Paras had two sons [10] from a previous marriage, Andre and Kobe; [11] both have basketball careers and started playing for La Salle Greenhills basketball team in grade school. André is also an actor at GMA 7, while Kobe played in the US NCAA Division I having played collegiate ball for the Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska, [12] the California State University, Northridge. [13] and for UP Fighting Maroons. [14] Kobe currently plays for Niigata Albirex BB in Japan.
| Year | Title | Role | Network |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Last Two Minutes The Sitcom | PTV 4 | |
| Ang Tabi Kong Mamaw | IBC | ||
| Young Love, Sweet Love | Various roles | RPN | |
| 1990–1992 | Estudyante Blues | PTV 4 | |
| Palibhasa Lalake | ABS-CBN | ||
| Just the 3 of Us | RPN | ||
| 1993–1998 | Oki Doki Doc | ABS-CBN | |
| Haybol Rambol | GMA Network | ||
| 1998–2003 | Kool Ka Lang | Jie | |
| 2003–2004 | Narito ang Puso Ko | Boyong | |
| Kakabaka-Boo | |||
| Kakabakaba Adventures | |||
| 2003–2007 | Lagot Ka, Isusumbong Kita | Junior | |
| Guinness Book of World Records Philippine Edition | TV5 | ||
| Naks! | GMA Network | ||
| Wag Kukurap | Various roles | ||
| GMA Telecine Specials | |||
| Campus Romance | |||
| Mikee | |||
| Dear Mikee | |||
| Sa Dako Pa Roon | |||
| Gags Must Be Crazy | IBC | ||
| 2005–2006 | My Guardian Abby | QTV | |
| 2005 | Encantadia | Wahid | GMA Network |
| 2005–2006 | Etheria: Ang Ikalimang Kaharian ng Encantadia | ||
| 2006 | Encantadia: Pag-ibig Hanggang Wakas | ||
| Family Zoo | QTV | ||
| Love to Love | GMA Network | ||
| 2007 | Lupin | Generoso/Jenny | |
| Mga Kuwento ni Lola Basyang | Higanteng Amok | ||
| Fantastic Man | Gobo | ||
| Magic Kamison | Pancho | ||
| Boys Nxt Door | Badong | ||
| Kamandag | Dinggol | ||
| 2007–2022 | Maynila | Various roles | |
| Finish Line | 9TV | ||
| Win Win Win | ABC | ||
| 2008–2014 | Maalaala Mo Kaya | Various roles | ABS-CBN |
| 2008–2009 | Gagambino | Stalin | GMA Network |
| 2009 | Adik Sa'Yo | Benjo | |
| Clear Men Future League | SOLAR TV | ||
| 2009–2011 | Show Me Da Manny | Oscar Paredes | GMA Network |
| 2010 | The Last Prince | Rizayo | |
| Ang Yaman ni Lola | Benjo Cabagnot | ||
| Puso ng Pasko: Artista Challenge | Challenger | ||
| Bantatay | Jace | ||
| 2011 | Spooky Nights Presents: The Ringtone | ||
| Futbolilits | Harrison Fortunato | ||
| Manny Many Prizes | Himself/Co-host | ||
| 2012 | Alice Bungisngis and her Wonder Walis | Timoteo/Tim | |
| One True Love | Douglas | ||
| Toda Max | Benjo | ABS-CBN | |
| 2013 | Wagas | Various roles | GMA News TV |
| Got to Believe | Chito Tampipi | ABS-CBN | |
| Video Incredible | ABC | ||
| 2013–2016 | Wansapanataym | Various roles | ABS-CBN |
| 2014 | Tunay na Buhay | Himself/Guest | GMA Network |
| 2015–2019 | NBA Sabados sa Dos | Himself/Sports Commentator | ABS-CBN |
| 2015 | Nathaniel | Abner Bartolome | |
| The Half Sisters | Peter | GMA Network | |
| Sabado Badoo | Himself/Guest | ||
| And I Love You So | Joey Ramirez | ABS-CBN | |
| 2016–2020 | Dear Uge | Various roles | GMA Network |
| 2016 | Tsuperhero | Makutoks | |
| 2016–2017 | Trops | Coach Fred | |
| 2017 | The Promise of Forever | Geoffrey Madrid | ABS-CBN |
| The Lolas' Beautiful Show | Himself/Guest | GMA Network | |
| 2017–2019 | Ipaglaban Mo! | Various roles | ABS-CBN |
| 2018 | Bagani | Bernardo Carpio | |
| Victor Magtanggol | Erwin Bravo | GMA Network | |
| Barangay 143 | Abdul's voice | ||
| Daddy's Gurl | Tom | ||
| 2019 | The Boobay and Tekla Show | Himself/Guest | |
| Ipaglaban Mo! | Various roles | ABS-CBN | |
| 2019–2022 | Prima Donnas | Agaton Salazar | GMA Network |
| 2020 | Mars Pa More | Himself/Guest | |
| Fill in the Bank | Himself/Celebrity Player | TV5 | |
| Sunday 'Kada | Himself/Guest | ||
| Lunch Out Loud | |||
| Iba Yan! | Kapamilya Channel,A2Z | ||
| 2021 | Wanted ang Serye | TV5 | |
| I Can See You: The Lookout | Kapitan | GMA Network | |
| Sing Galing | Himself/Celebrity Player | TV5 | |
| 2021–2022 | Agimat ng Agila | Sgt. Wesley Dimanahan | GMA Network |
| 2022 | Start-Up PH | Himself/Guest | |
| Jose and Maria's Bonggang Villa | Mr. Rico Nero Cusin | ||
| Regal Studio Presents: Most Valuable Daddy | Emerson | ||
| 2023 | The Iron Heart | Aphroditus "Aphro" Viray | Kapamilya Channel |
| Royal Blood | Otep | GMA Network |
The Shell Turbo Chargers were a Philippine Basketball Association team from 1985 to 2005. It won four PBA championships, two from 1998 to 1999. Shell sold its franchise to PBL team Welcoat Paints in February 2006.
The 1990 PBA season was the 16th season of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).
The 1998 PBA season was the 24th season of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).
The 1999 PBA season was the 25th season of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).
The 2000 PBA season was the 26th season of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).
Vigildo Quezon T. Babilonia was a Filipino basketball player in the Philippine Basketball Association.
Ronald "Ronnie" Magsanoc is a Filipino professional basketball coach, analyst, and former player in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). He was known for his moniker "The Point Laureate".
Frederick "Eric" Altamirano is a former Filipino basketball player and he formerly the assistant coach of the Alaska Aces. At the present, he is the commissioner of Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3x3 and PBA 3x3. He was part of the Philippine national team that played at the 1986 Asian Games. He is the former head coach of the National University Bulldogs from 2011 to 2016.
Bal Viray David Jr. is a Filipino professional basketball coach and former player. He played his whole 10-year career for the Barangay Ginebra Kings of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). He last coached the UST Growling Tigers of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP).
The 1998 PBA Governors Cup finals was the best-of-7 basketball championship series of the 1998 PBA Governors Cup, and the conclusion of the conference playoffs. The Formula Shell Super Unleaded and Mobiline Phone Pals played for the 71st championship contested by the league and a rematch of their one-game finale in the 1998 PBA Centennial Cup.
The 1993 Sta. Lucia Realtors season was the first season of the franchise in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).
The 1991 Shell Rimula X season was the 7th season of the franchise in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).
The 1993 Shell Helix Ultra season was the 9th season of the franchise in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). Known as Shell Rimula-X in the All-Filipino Cup.
The 1999 Formula Shell Super Unleaded season was the 15th season of the franchise in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). The team became known as Shell Velocity beginning the Governor's Cup.
The 1999 McDonald's PBA All-Filipino Cup finals was the best-of-7 basketball championship series of the 1999 PBA All-Filipino Cup, and the conclusion of the conference playoffs. The Formula Shell Zoom Masters and Tanduay Rhum Masters played for the 72nd championship contested by the league.
The 2002 Shell Turbo Chargers season was the 18th season of the franchise in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).
The 2003 Shell Turbo Chargers season was the 19th season of the franchise in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).
André Alonzo Forster Paras is a Filipino actor, model, dancer, singer, and former professional basketball player. He is the son of former PBA player Benjie Paras and brother of Kobe Paras. He is the best known for his role as Chad Jimenez in the film adaptation of Diary ng Panget. Paras is most seen in GMA Network and most known for playing the role of Bradley Castillo in the hit melodrama The Half Sisters. After the success of The Half Sisters, Paras and Barbie Forteza paired again in That's My Amboy which aired on 2016.
Kobe Lorenzo Forster Paras is a Filipino professional basketball player who last played for Altiri Chiba of the B2 League. Listed at 6 feet 6 inches (1.98 m) and 200 pounds (91 kg), he plays the small forward position. He has been a member of the Philippine national team and the national 3x3 team.
The 1997 UST Growling Tigers men's basketball team represented University of Santo Tomas in the 60th season of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines. The men's basketball tournament for the school year 1997–98 began on July 12, 1997, and the host school for the season was Adamson University.
