BOBBY Ray Parks sustained his solid play as National U overcame San Sebastian, 76-73, last night to extend its unbeaten start even as St. Benilde and University of the Philippines finally barged into the win column of the Filoil Flying V Hanes Preseason Cup.
Parks, last season’s UAAP Most Valuable Player, finished with 21 points, joining forces with Philip Javillonar and Cedric Labing-isa in a torrid fourth-quarter burst that sent the Bulldogs to their sixth straight victory.
It was the second straight loss for the Stags, who are still groping for form since returning from a training camp in the United States.
Calvin Abueva finished with 20 points for the Stags, who looked to be in control until Javillonar and Labing-isa caught fire from beyond the arc in the final quarter.
Earlier, St. Benilde used a strong start to blast Arellano, 67-47, in a game marred by a bench-clearing fight, while UP crushed Perpetual Help, 61-47, in the tournament presented by Bostick Phils. and Supervulcaseal.
Behind Mark Romero and Carlo Lastimosa, the Blazers zoomed to a 22-7 lead, stretched it to 26 midway in the second period, before cruising the rest of the way. St. Benilde improved to 1-2 for fifth spot in group B.
But the game ended on an ugly note as 16 players, including nine from Arellano, were ejected because of a bench-clearing incident at the 7:48 mark of the fourth period.
Third Game
NU 76—Parks 21, de Guzman 16, Mbe 13, Javillonar 9, Labing-isa 9, Alolino 6, Neypes 2, Villamor 0, Betayene 0, Khobuntin 0, Ignacio 0, Singh 0, Rono 0.
SAN SEBASTIAN 73—Abueva 20, dela Cruz 14, Maiquez 12, Sangalang 10, Rebollos 8, Balucanag 4, Vitug 3, Vinuya 2, Antipuesto 0, Miranda 0, Tano 0.
Quarters: 21-22, 31-35, 44-50, 76-73