Parks stars as NU holds off La Salle

Michael Angelo Jugado

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NU surged in the fourth quarter to beat La Salle in UAAP Season 76.

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) — Bobby Ray Parks isn’t the reigning two-time MVP for nothing.

And on Sunday, July 28, National University rode on the heroics of Parks as they held off gritty De La Salle University, 63-56 in the last game of the 76th UAAP men’s basketball tournament first round at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Parks posted 20 points, 14 rebounds, 6 assists and 3 steals and shone bright in a 4th quarter assault to lead the Bulldogs to their 4th win in 7 games.

“I’m really proud of my boys today,” said NU head coach Eric Altamirano. “We played smart and executed our game plan.”

“This game is very important to both teams,” he added.

Searing fourth quarter rampage

The Green Archers recovered from a slow start to extinguish a huge, early lead by the Bulldogs to one entering the final canto, 43-42.

NU, though, would not be denied as Parks starred in a crippling 14-2 blitz by the Bulldogs that broke the game wide open and built a 57-44 cushion with 4 minutes left.

HERO. Parks powered NU in the fourth. Photo by Rappler/JM Albelda.

Arnold Van Opstal and Thomas Torres then teamed up to bring La Salle back into the game, dropping a 12-2 bomb to inch closer at 59-56 with 17.2 seconds remaining and make things interesting.

But Gelo Alolino iced the game by hitting two free throws before Teng shot an airball attempt from the 3-point area.

Mbe pegged the final count with a basket underneath, 63-56.

“Coach is giving me confidence,” quipped Parks, who shot 2-of-5 from beyond the arc.

Van Opstal carried the fight for the Archers with 14 points and 7 boards whie Vosotros added 11 markers. – Rappler.com

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