Actors - Benjie Paras

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	Actors - Benjie Paras

Venancio "Benjie" Johnson Paras Jr. (born October 2, 1968) is a Filipino actor and a former basketball player of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). He is the only PBA player to win both Rookie of the Year (ROY) and Most Valuable Player (MVP) honors, in a single season (1989). As its star Forward-Center, Paras led the Shell Turbo Chargers to championship titles.

University stint

A prized recruit from San Beda High School, Paras started as center for University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons, where he once scored 19 points, grabbed 17 rebounds, and blocked 7 shots against rival Far Eastern University. The prized UP player had all the basketball essentials in him-- agility, rebounding strength, and shooting touch. Eventually, the Maroons went on to win its second UAAP title against the University of the East (UE) Red Warriors led by Jerry Codiñera.

The Rookie from UP

Drafted by the Shell Turbo Chargers in 1989, Paras, aptly nicknamed- "The Tower of Power" ,electrified the PBA with excellent ball-handling, powerful rebounding, deft mid-range shooting, well-timed shot blocks and the uncanny ability for inside scoring. Although his team did not win any title that season, these outstanding 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. Benjie Paras was the only PBA player to have done this feat.

Awards

Most Valuable Player (1989) and (1999)
Rookie of the Year (1989)
Mythical First Team Selection in 1989, 1990, 1991, 1995, and 1999
Mythical Second Team Selection in 1992, 1994, and 1996
Best Player of the Conference in 1999 Commissioner's Cup
Comeback Player of the Year in 1999
Eight-time PBA All-Star
PBA All-Star Game Most Valuable Player 1994 and 1999
PBA's 25 Greatest Players

Other Basketball Highlights:

A Member of the 1990 Asian Games national team

Career developments

Paras retired in 2003, ending his 14-year career with the Philippine Basketball Association. However, he returned later in the year, suiting up for the San Miguel Beer before calling it quits once again at season's end. He is currently an actor in show business.

He has performed in local films and television shows. He currently appears in Lagot Ka, Isusumbong Kita, a weekly sitcom by GMA Network and also stars in Encantadia, as the Ascano barbarian, Wahid.

Paras is divorced to Jackie Forster, a former actress.

[ Visit the complete Wikipedia entry for Benjie Paras ]

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