Parks and Mbe team up to lead NU past UST for a semis berth

MANILA, Philippines—National University got space and pulled away in the fourth period to thwart University of Santo Tomas, 77-68, Wednesday and clinch a semifinals berth in the Filoil Flying V Pre-Season Cup at the Arena in San Juan.

The Bulldogs, who remain undefeated in the tournament, 9-0, pounced on the opportunity when Karim Abdul fouled out with half a quarter to go and created the space it needed down the stretch.

NU, which will face Ateneo in the winner-take-all semifinals tiff on Saturday, erased UST’s 21-9 lead in the first quarter and took over the drivers’ seat for good in the payoff period.

Emmanuel Mbe and Bobby Ray Parks, two of the most lethal players in the UAAP expected to carry NU to the final four this season, teamed up and combined for more than half of the squad’s output.

Parks, the reigning UAAP MVP, had 23 points, four rebounds, and three steals while Mbe had 16 markers and 13 boards.

Parks delivered two freethrows with a minute left to play which virtually sealed the victory for the Bulldogs.

UST, which missed a chance to advance and concluded its campaign with a 5-4 card, even lead by, 49-41, on a triple from Clark Bautista midway the third after squandering its early lead.

Aljon Mariano, who finished wih 16 points and six rebounds, singlehandedly carried the Tigers in the fourth quarter but his efforts weren’t enough.

Jeric Fortuna and Abdul added 12 points apiece and 13 and 11 rebounds, respectively, for UST.