Parks delivers 30 points as Bulldogs whip Fighting Maroons

Bobby Ray Parks got out of his first game jitters in a huge way pouring in 30 points as National University defeated University of the Philippines, 75-66, Sunday in the UAAP Season 74 men’s basketball tournament. In his first game as a UAAP player, Parks had a hard time buying a basket, making only five all game. But in his second match, that same number was the shots he missed. Parks hit eight-of-13 from the field including five-of-six from two-point distance and three-of-seven from the three-point arc. He also made 11 of his 13 free throws to become the first 30-point scorer since Ateneo’s Rabeh Al-Hussaini did it on August 13, 2009 scoring 30 points against University of the East. With the point output, Parks also joined University of Santo Tomas’ Dylan Ababou and Adamson’s Ken Bono as members of the 30-point club in recent UAAP history. Incidentally, all of them won the Most Valuable Player award during the time they scored 30. More importantly, Parks got the monkey off his back after a sluggish first game in a loss to University of Santo Tomas. “We played harder and executed well towards the end. Everybody came together. We carried the ball well and we really prepared hard for this game," said Parks. Parks also had an all-around game as he had nine rebounds, three assists and two steals. “Overall, he had a good game. He provided the scoring and the stability. He was a big spark for us," said NU coach Eric Altamirano. Parks took over in the fourth quarter scoring 10 of the team’s 16 markers to shrug a pesky UP side to put the game away. NU took a 24-15 lead in the first quarter but UP, on a high after securing its first win after 18 games last Thursday against University of the East. The Bulldogs led 59-53 at the end of the third quarter but it wasn’t an all Parks show as Joeffrey Javillonar also poured in six points to complement Parks’ nine. Then, Parks happened in the fourth period. Emmanuel Mbe had eight of his 10 points in the first period but saw limited action in the next three quarters. In his place was Javillonar, who had nine points and seven rebounds. Jett Manuel had 21 points while Gelo Montecastro had 12 points. Alinko Mbah had seven points, 13 rebounds and two blocks for the Fighting Maroons. -- Reuben Terrado/OMG, GMA News