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MANILA, Philippines – Bobby Ray Parks showcased once more just why he’s branded as the league’s best player.
The reigning league most valuable player (MVP) scored the last 5 points to power National University to a heart-stopping 84-81 overtime victory that sent them to the Final Four of the 75th UAAP men’s basketball tournament on Sunday, September 23, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Parks fired a 3-pointer with 36.4 seconds remaining before sinking two safety free throws, as the Bulldogs gained entry into the playoffs for the first time in 11 years.
“We never gave up. We just kept coming,” Coach Eric Altamirano told reporters after the game. “There were a lot of setbacks but I kept reminding the boys that God has a plan for us.”
Comeback
Down 79-73 after a fiery overtime opening salvo by the Tamaraws, the Sampaloc-based crew slowly clawed back behind gritty Emmanuel Mbe and Parks.
Mbe sparked the comeback with a free throw and a outback before Mark De Guzman and Parks rifled in back-to-back treys as NU took an 82-79 advantage.
RR Garcia, a former MVP himself, sank two free throws to trim the gap to one but Parks sealed the deal for the Bulldogs with a couple of charities with 16.7 seconds remaining.
The win hiked NU’s record to 9-5, in a bind with FEU and idle De La Salle University. The Season 75 hosts, however, got the third semifinals berth with a superior quotient.
“This is where we wanna be from the very start of the season,” Altamirano said. “This win is very significant for the NU community.”
Parks shone bright with a game-high 27 points, 9 rebounds and 3 assists while Mbe pounded his defenders to come up with 25 points and 13 rebounds on 86% shooting.
Last chance for FEU
FEU coach Bert Flores, though, commended his wards for their efforts, albeit in a losing cause.
“Lahat naman ginawa ng player,” Flores shared. “Andun yung effort at intensity. Kaso lang nagkaroon ng lapses nung overtime.” (The players did everything they could–the effort and intensity were there. Unfortunately, they had mental lapses during overtime.)
Terrence Romeo paced the Tamaraws with 25 points, 8 boards and two steals, while Garcia and Mike Tolomia chipped in with 13 and 10 markers, respectively.
FEU battles the Green Archers for the last Final Four spot on Wednesday, September 26, at 4pm at the Mall of Asia Arena while the Bulldogs get some rest before taking on University of Santo Tomas in the playoffs. -Rappler.com
NU, 84: Parks 27, Mbe 25, Neypes 7, Alolino 7, Javillonar 6, De Guzman 5, Betayene 5, Singh 2, Villamor 0, Rono 0, Khobuntin 0
FEU, 81: Romeo 25, Garcia 13, Tolomia 10, Hargrove 7, Pogoy 6, Mendoza 5, Escoto 5, Belo 4, Foronda 3, Bringas 3, Cruz 0
Quarter scoring: 23-20, 37-42, 60-55, 73-73, 84-81
For more on UAAP Season 75, read:
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