Bulldogs devour Altas on Parks’ return, bag Fr. Martin Cup title

MANILA, Philippines – Bobby Ray Parks Jr. made up for his absence in the semifinals as he led the National University Bulldogs to a 63-47 swamping of the University of Perpetual Help Altas last Sunday at the Trinity University of Asia gymnasium in Quezon City.

Parks, who is back after resting briefly from a minor ankle injury, chipped in 19 points for the Bulldogs, who went on to claim their second crown in three years.

The Bulldogs’ second title conquest came as the San Beda Red Cubs subdued the Letran Squires, 72-63, to retain the junior crown and the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws outplayed La Salle, 48-46, to clinch the women’s plum.

Joshua Caracut, a 6’0 junior, tallied 17 points, including two crucial triples in the fourth period as he powered the Red Cubs to a 10-point edge in the last five minutes, and give new coach JB Sison a fitting debut.

Vangie Soriano sank two free throws in the last three seconds to lift the FEU Lady Tams to a 48-46 beating of the La Salle Lady Archers, who were spearheaded by Camille Sambille and Soriano with 17 and 14 points.

The 6’4 Parks rose to the occasion in the last minute of the second period, canning in two charities and hitting a triple in the remaining 3.5 seconds to hand the Bulldogs a 30-23 halftime edge.

Teammates Alfred Aroga and Joshua Alolino had 15 and 11 points for the Bulldogs, and both struck hard during an 8-0 blast in the start of the second half, and this allowed NU to move further ahead, 38-23, with 7:03 to go.

Alolino hit eight points throughout the third, and his efforts enabled the Bulldogs to gain a 55-34 spread at the end of the period.

“The boys did what they were supposed to do. They are learning to deal with lapses in our game and keep their composure,” said Bulldogs coach Eric Altamirano.

Justin Alano banged in nine points for the Altas, while Juneric Baloria and Harold Arboleda had eight and seven points.

The NU Bulldogs reached the semis after they stopped the University of the Philippines Maroons, 67-63, last Thursday, while the Altas held off the Adamson Falcons to prevail, 57-54.

The Altas still ended up having their best pre-season stint with their first ever finals appearance  in a pre-season tournament in seven years.

With their ninth consecutive triumph, the Bulldogs won their second crown after beating the Mapua Cardinals for the title in 2011.