UAAP: National U trumps University of the Philippines

MANILA, Philippines — National University stepped on the gas early and never buckled as it dumped University of the Philippines, 65-43, Sunday in the UAAP men’s basketball tournament.

Powered by prized recruit Ray Parks, the Bulldogs bolstered their final four hopes with a 4-6 record as it remained a topsy-turvy race for the fourth spot.

Parks finished with 22 points and seven rebounds for NU as his chances for the Most Valuable Player plum are still within sight.

Parks, son of seven-time best import Bobby Parks, is running third behind Ateneo’s Greg Slaughter and Kiefer Ravena in the season MVP race at the end of the first round.

The Bulldogs simply blew by the struggling Fighting Maroons and took over the game, 27-10, with just a few minutes before halftime.

Cameroonian reinforcement Emmanuel Mbe did his damage in the paint with 17 markers and 13 rebounds.

The Maroons, who dropped its eighth assigment, were held to their lowest scoring output in the first half, 13, since the UAAP statistics were computerized in 2003.

Volume-shooting Mike Silungan couldn’t find his range all game long as he managed only two points for UP.