NATIONAL University just sent a strong message to the rest of the varsity field.
Completing a remarkable 11-game sweep, the Bulldogs downed the La Salle Green Archers, 64-54, yesterday to bag the Filoil Flying V Preseason Hanes Cup.
Ray Parks turned in another fantastic performance, capping a 19-point outing with a clutch triple that foiled the Archers’ comeback effort in the winner-take-all finals at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
“The teams we beat in this tournament were the teams that gave us a hard time last year,” said NU coach Eric Altamirano. “I know the UAAP is a completely different tournament, but at least at the back of the minds of these teams, they’ll be wary of us.”
Earlier, Greg Slaughter shot 24 points and hauled down 11 rebounds as Ateneo tripped San Beda, 66-55, to clinch third place.
“Now it’s time to really prepare for the UAAP,” coach Norman Black said, just four weeks before his Blue Eagles kick off their bid for a fifth straight UAAP title. “I think we’ll probably be better where we are now. It’s a matter of improving out execution and getting the team in better condition.”
Parks, the tournament MVP, also delivered four rebounds, two assists and two steals, while the tall Cameroonian Emmanuel Mbe posted 13 points, 15 rebounds and two blocks.
The Archers last threatened, 52-57, in a run that had LA Revilla nailing back-to-back-treys, before a Parks three-pointer and a Jeoff Javillonar put-back pushed the Bulldogs safely ahead, 62-54, in the closing seconds.
Parks led the Mythical Five that included teammate Mbe, La Salle’s Norbert Torres and Ateneo’s Slaughter and Kiefer Ravena.
The Bulldogs closed out the first half with a 10-0 blitz to turn an 18-26 deficit into a 28-26 halftime advantage.
Although La Salle kept it close behind Revilla and Torres, Parks also had a strong support crew to help the Bulldogs foil the Archers’ persistent rallies.
“We expected them (Archers) to play good defense against us,” said Altamirano. “They did a good job against Bobby Ray early. What I like about the boys is they play for each other.”
The scores:
First Game
ATENEO 66—Slaughter 24, Chua 8, Tiongon 7, Ravena 7, Salva 6, Gonzaga 4, Elorde 4, Erram 4, Sumalinog 2, Capacio 0, Pessumal 0, Lim 0.
SAN BEDA 55—Pascual J. 15, Adeogun 12, Amer 10, Caram 9, Pascual K. 5, Dela Rosa 4, Lim 0, Koga 0, Solera 0, Moralde 0, Ludovice 0, Mendoza 0.
Quarters:16-12, 28-23, 49-38, 66-55
Second Game
NU 64—Parks 19, Mbe 13, Alolino 10, Villamor 8, Javillonar 5, De Guzman 2, Betayene 2, Roño 0, Ignacio 0, Labing-isa 0.
LA SALLE 54—Revilla 14, Torres 13, Andrada 8, Vosotros 5, Teng 4, Webb 4, Tallo 2, Mendoza 2, Gotladera 2, Manguera 0, Reyes 0, Paredes 0
Quarters: 15-16, 28-26, 44-41, 64-54