Parks gives Bulldogs share of Filoil lead

MANILA, Philippines - Bobby Ray Parks sparkled for 29 points as National University routed Far Eastern University, 85-74, for its second straight victory in the Filoil Flying V Preseason Hanes Cup at the San Juan Arena yesterday.

Parks, last year’s UAAP MVP, also had nine rebounds and four assists while shooting 10-of-16 from the field in an impressive stint to help put the Bulldogs in step with the Ateneo Blue Eagles and the San Beda Red Lions in the lead in the tournament presented by Bostik Phils. Inc.

“We’re happy with the win but we have to keep in mind that this is only the preseason,” said NU coach Eric Altamirano. “I hope the win do not get to the head of the guys because we have lots to do and we are a work in progress.”

The Bulldogs, who trounced the Jose Rizal U Bombers, 99-84, last week, led by as many as 24, 66-42, courtesy of Parks in the third period.

Parks scored on a slam off an assist by Mark De Guzman as the Bulldogs roared to 85-70 lead with 1:32 left in the contest. The Tams closed out the game with four consecutive points.

The Bulldogs raced a 31-21 lead on a Parks jumper with 5:27 left in the second period then fended off the Tams’ fightback behind Chris Tolomia, who keyed a 6-0 run that cut NU’s lead to 70-81.

In the second match, Colegio de San Juan de Letran outplayed the University of the East, 64-56, despite being “outhustled and outrebounded,” according to coach Louie Alas.

 “We just got lucky, even though our shooting was good in the second half, UE just committed too many unforced turnovers,” said Alas, whose team was outrebounded by 17, 36-53.

Letran opened an 18-point bulge as Jam Cortez, who finished with 11 points and 13 rebounds, scored eight points to anchor the Knights’ 20-6 run in the third period. Kevin Alas, meanwhile, finished with 17 points, including 15 in the first half.