MANILA, Philippines – Far Eastern University (FEU) pushed National University (NU) around for almost three quarters.
Until Bobby Ray Parks put his foot down, that is.
The reigning MVP engineered an impressive comeback from 13 points down as the Bulldogs stopped the charging Tamaraws in a highly-physical 75th UAAP men’s basketball tournament encounter Thursday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Held without a field goal in the first 2 quarters, Parks poured in 15 of his 17 points in the second half to help the Sampaloc-based crew register their third win and snap FEU’s league-leading four-game winning streak. This is NU’s first win over a season contender.
“The key today was our composure,” a relieved coach Eric Altamirano said. “We showed a lot of character. I just commend the boys for their resiliency.”
The Tamaraws came out of the gates charging hard.
With Terrence Romeo firing three three-pointers in the first half, the Morayta-based squad took a 29-16 advantage late in the second period, before an 8-1 NU blitz trimmed the deficit to 30-24 at the break.
The Bulldogs looked lost with the physical play of FEU’s big men, who combined for 12 fouls in the first 2 quarters.
Burly brothers Arvie and Mark Bringas increased the physicality in the third, pushing for position and throwing shots here and there as the Tamaraws got into the nerves of the rattled NU cagers.
Cris Tolomia joined in the fray and hacked Parks, who was soaring for a breakaway dunk, which resulted in an unsportsmanlike foul.
The six-foot-four Parks answered back with repeated attacks on FEU’s airtight defense. While he wasn’t able to bank in shots, Parks fished for foul after foul, sinking in 13 of 15 free throw attempts in the second half.
The Bulldogs took the lead for the first time after a Troy Rosario basket, 46-45, before a hook shot by again by Rosario gave NU a 54-50 cushion midway through the fourth.
Ryan Roose Garcia banked in his first trey of the game and Mark Bringas converted a basket underneath to snatch the lead back, 55-54, before Parks completed a three-point play that gave them a 57-55 advantage with over a minute left.
Romeo tied the game again off a long jumper over Rosario’s outstretched arms even as Parks split his charities for a 59-58 Bulldogs lead, 59.1 seconds remaining.
The Tamaraws failed to convert on their ensuing offensive set, but Parks bungled what could have been a game-winning shot, losing the ball in midair with 28.2 ticks on the clock.
However, Belo laid an egg during his trip to the charity stripe as Parks and Mark de Guzman sealed the win for NU with three free throws in the last 16 seconds.
“Every game is a tough game,” Altamirano added. “I think this test made us a better team.”
Aside from his 17 markers, Parks pulled down six boards and dished out seven assists while Rosario (12 points, seven rebounds) and Mbe (12 points, 12 rebounds) also delivered big for the Bulldogs.
Romeo led FEU with a game-high 18 points, eight boards and three steals, while Belo and Mark Bringas added eight markers apiece.
After combining for 16 assists in their lopsided win over University of the East, Romeo and Garcia could only come up with three this time. -Rappler.com
NU, 61 – Parks 17, Rosario 12, Mbe 12, Alolino 6, Villamor 4, Javillonar 4, Rono 3, Betayene 2, De Guzman 1, Singh 0
FEU, 57 – Romeo 18, Belo 8, Bringas M. 8, Garcia 5, Mendoza 4, Cruz 4, Hargrove 3, Escoto 2, Tolomia 0, Sentcheu 0, Pogoy 0
Quarters: 12-15, 24-30, 46-47, 61-57
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