Parks sparks NU rally, Final Four hopes
Just days after their loss to Far Eastern University was declared a “no-contest” and was ordered to be replayed later this month, National University romped over De La Salle University in continuation of the 75th UAAP men’s basketball wars at the Mall of Asia Arena on Sunday.
Bobby Ray Parks led the way in the Bulldogs’ 72-62 victory, as he totalled for his sixth 30+ point game with a game-high of 32. Gelo Alolino followed his lead with 11, while Jeth Troy Rosario, Glenn Khobuntin, and transferee Mark De Guzman each had 6 points apiece.
The Bulldogs started pulling away during the second quarter, but did not complete their dominance over the Green Archers until the third period behind Parks’ 17 points.
Not only did the Sampaloc-based dribblers seize a momentary lead with a 7-4 card, they also spoiled the return of diminutive guard LA Revilla in La Salle’s fold after an extended absence due to a rash assortment of injuries.
Revilla logged in nearly a quarter’s worth of play, scoring his lone basket in the second quarter.
Mercurial rookie Jeron Teng piled on 20 points, while Almond Vosotros waxed hot with 13 in a losing cause.
Blue Eagles clinch Final Four berth in victory over Falcons
Behind Nico Salva’s career game, Ateneo de Manila University continues their reign atop the team standings via a 79-72 victory over Adamson University in the first game.
Salva, a fifth year senior for the Blue Eagles, pumped in his best performance in a Blue Eagle uniform with 24 points, 12 of those coming in a pivotal 4th quarter.
Surprisingly, the three-time defending champions did not lead after the first three quarters against the undermanned Falcons who saw their star guard Alex Nuyles sidelined for the rest of the year with a shoulder injury.
Greg Slaughter amassed 16 points and 12 rebounds, while Kiefer Ravena had 15 points in their 10th win of the season.
However, a gall was cast on the Eagles’ campaign as JP Erram left the game early in the second half with an undisclosed injury that may leave a huge gaping hole in their frontline in the near future.
Eric Camson paced the Falcons with a 26 point outburst, while Jerico Cruz finished with 14 points and 5 assists.
BOX SCORES
First game
ATENEO (79): Salva 24, Slaughter 16, Ravena 15, Elorde 10, Chua 6, Tiongson 3, Buenafe 3, Sumalinog 1, Erram 1, Gonzaga 0, Golla 0
ADAMSON (72): Camson 26, Cruz 14, Cabrera 10, Brondial 8, Monteclaro 8, Rios 4, Etrone 2, Trollano 0, Petilos 0, Agustin 0
Quarters: 21-25, 38-38, 55-59, 79-72
Second game
NATIONAL (72): Parks 32, Alolino 11, Rosario 6, Khobuntin 6, De Guzman 6, Mbe 4, Javillonar 4, Villamor 3, Singh 0, Rono 0, Betayene 0
DE LA SALLE (62): Teng 20, Vosotros 13, Van Opstal 7, N. Torres 6, Mendoza 4, T. Torres 3, Manguera 3, Andrada 2, Tampus 2, Revilla 2, Webb 0
Quarters: 15-15, 36-26, 56-45, 72-62
