Parks leads NU past Arellano for its first PBA D-League win

Bobby Ray Parks of National U gets away from Ateneo’s Chris Newsome in yesterday’s lopsided game at MOA Arena. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO/AUGUST DELA CRUZ

MANILA, Philippines — National University-BDO started the new year on a winning note following a 97-68 drubbing of Arellano-Air21 at the resumption of the 2014 PBA D-League Aspirants Cup Monday at the Arellano University gym.

NU zoomed to a fast start sparked by Troy Rosario, who nearly matched Arellano’s measly 12-point output in the first quarter with 10 points as the Bulldogs took a 23-12 lead, an advantage that would grow to 31 after three quarters.

“[The win] lifts the pressure off us to win our first game,” said NU assistant coach Joey Guanio, filling in for head coach Eric Altamirano, who is currently in the US.

Two-time UAAP MVP Ray Parks led the way for the Bulldogs with 20 points, eight rebounds and six assists. Parks also had a steal and two blocks in just 21 minutes while Rosario finished with 18 points, eight rebounds and three blocks.

NU, which shot 51% from the field and hit 11 3-pointers, finally barged into the win column after losing its first six games while Arellano dropped to 1-9.