Tams, Bulldogs tackle separate foes

FAR EASTERN U and National U try to cling to their lofty positions as they tangle with different rivals today in the FilOil-Flying V Hanes Preseason Premiere Cup in San Juan.

The Tamaraws, getting sharper with every game, shoot for a fourth straight win against a pumped-up Emilio Aguinaldo squad at 12:30 p.m., before the Bulldogs, who shares the Group A lead with Ateneo with a 3-0 record, battle the Lyceum Pirates.

Jose Rizal U seeks back-to-back wins against fellow NCAA squad St. Benilde at 4 p.m.

Focus will again be on top rookie Bobby Ray Parks Jr., whose fine form has transformed the Bulldogs into one of the tournament’s favorites.

The 6-foot-3 Parks, who drew interest from US NCAA school Georgia Tech before deciding to stay at NU, has been averaging 17 points per outing.

Parks leads a slew of young, energetic recruits of coach Eric Altamirano.

The Tamaraws are coming off 67-55 triumph over Mapua last Friday, where they delivered a solid defensive effort to force 28 turnovers.

But FEU coach Bert Flores said it’s still too early to gauge the Tamaraws’ chances of going all the way in the tournament.

The Tamaraws will be facing an EAC squad still inspired by a 49-46 upset of University of the East last Saturday.

The Bombers are hoping to follow up their 75-70 victory over the Letran Knights.