FEU guard Jasper Parker. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
When Jasper Parker’s family flew from California to watch him play against University of the East, he knew he had to put on a show.
Parker’s spirited efforts saw the Tamaraws take an all-important 79-63 win over the Red Warriors in the UAAP Season 80 men’s basketball tournament.
And Parker said his family cheering him on made him play a notch better than in his previous outings.
“I have to say I had a lot of inspiration today with my family here, we just needed to step up in the second half so I just felt like there had to be something done,” said Parker Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Parker finished with a season-high 18 points that went with eight assists as he led the Tamaraws to a 6-6 record.
And half of Parker’s total points came in the fourth quarter where FEU outscored UE, 30-14.
“Coach (Olsen Racela) has been telling me not to be afraid of taking the shot, my shots there so I just decided to take them,” said Parker.
“The coaches told me I was being a little too passive so my being aggressive kind of helped the team out.”