Fr. Martin Cup win gives Bulldogs new lease

MANILA, Philippines - The National University Bulldogs topped the 17th Fr. Martin Summer Cup, essaying a championship run that bodes well for their bid to be contenders in the coming UAAP season.

The Bulldogs, riding high on the exploits of prized recruits Bobby Ray Parks and Dennis Villamor, outlasted the Mapua Cardinals, 87-83, in overtime in the titular game at the San Beda Gym.

“The team showed confidence, will to win and fighting spirit in this tournament, and we’re hoping we can keep that in the UAAP wars,” said NU coach Eric Altamirano.

“Those qualities will be very important if we want to make a dent in the coming UAAP season,” added Altamirano, a stalwart of the UP Maroons team that won the school’s one and only championship in 1986.

With the addition of Parks, the team is upbeat of its Final Four chance.

The Bulldogs narrowly missed the semifinals last year with a 7-7 win-loss card, a game behind fourth-placer La Salle (8-6).

Athletic director Junel Baculi and other NU officials are optimistic they can improve on that as they’re confident Parks’ eligibility will be approved by the UAAP screening committee.

Parks, son of many-time PBA best import Bobby Sr., made great impression in both the Fr. Martin Cup and the Filoil Flying V summer tourneys.

The 6-foot-4 versatile player poured in 30 points in leading the Bulldogs past the Cardinals in the Fr. Martin finale.

Parks, who donned the national colors in the first Youth Olympics in Singapore last year, himself secured the win with two free throws in the closing seconds.

Villamor, a transferee from Rizal Technological University, had significant contribution with 18 points.