Parks makes UAAP debut as NU Bulldogs battle UST Tigers
Photo by Jan Dizon
MANILA—Parks said teamwork will still be the key when the Bulldogs kick off their campaign against the University of Santo Tomas at 1 p.m. at the Araneta Coliseum.
“The chemistry is there,” said Parks, the versatile son of seven-time PBA Best Import Bobby Parks, who got cleared to play in the league just four days before last weekend’s opening.
“We’re a young team but I think we can still be competitive.”
University of the Philippines, with new Nigerian recruit Alinko Mbah leading its roster, is also favored over the rebuilding University of the East in their 3 p.m. duel.
The winners in the double-header will join opening-day victors Ateneo and Far Eastern University in the early lead.
The Bulldogs also recruited former national youth team players Kyle Neypes and Cedric Labing-isa to boost their chances this season. Cameroonian Emmanuel Mbe, a Mythical Team member who keyed the Bulldogs’ fifth-place finish last year, returns together with Joseph Terso and Glenn Khobuntin.
“We’re very optimistic,” said NU coach Eric Altamirano. “We’re bringing in a young team, but we’re well prepared.”
UST coach Pido Jarencio is similarly positive with his Tigers, who boast a strong recruitment class that includes last season’s UAAP juniors MVP Kevin Ferrer, 2009 NCAA juniors MVP Louie Vigil, Cameroonian Karim Abdul and Filipino-Canadian Jamil Sherriff.
“We’re a bit hurt by the absence of Clark Bautista [due to academics], but I think we’re more competitive this year,” said Jarencio.
“We expect UST to be very unpredictable,” noted Altamirano. “They have a good and strong team this year.”
The Maroons, who had a disastrous 0-14 run last year, expects a better campaign with Mbah and veterans Mike Gamboa, Mark Juruena and Mike Silungan.
“With a positive mindset, we can have a better showing this season,” said new UP coach Ricky Dandan.
Coach Jerry Codiñera also debuts for the Warriors, whose main men Paul Lee and Ken Acibar opted to forego their final year of eligibility.
