UAAP: Parks stars as NU edges La Salle

Bobby Ray Parks. INQUIRER File Photo

MANILA, Philippines — A 10-0 run to start the fourth gave National University the cushion to defeat La Salle, 63-56, Sunday at the UAAP season 76 men’s basketball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Bobby Ray Parks Jr. scored eight in that pivotal run, which helped them survive a late rally by the Green Archers, and finished with 20 points and 13 rebounds.

“They were making a run in transition, and I just reminded them that we could not give that shot,” said head coach Eric Altamirano.

“I’m really proud of the boys today. They played intelligent today, and we executed the game plan,” he also said.

After NU led by as many as13 points, 57-44, with 3:22 left to play, La Salle went on a 12-2 run and gave the Bulldogs a scare.

But two freethrows from Gelo Alolino with 10.9 seconds left put NU out of harm’s way before Emmanuel Mbe threw a shot the last second to set the final score.

With the win, the Bulldogs rose to third at the end of the first round with a 4-3 record while La Salle dropped to fifth with a 3-4 card.

Arnold Van Opstal led the Green Archers with 14 points, while Vosotros, who missed his first five shots from downtown before making the next three, added 11.

Originally posted at 06:37 | Sunday, July 28, 2013