UAAP: NU smothers UST
MANILA, Philippines — National University welcomed the post-Ray Parks era with a masterful 59-40 win over back-to-back finalists University of Santo Tomas in the UAAP Season 77 men’s basketball tournament Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“I think it was more a defensive game. I think we played sound defense, they didn’t shoot well,” said NU coach Eric Altamirano. “Honestly, I didn’t even expect to win with a big margin.”
“This is my last season so as a veteran I just want to my teammates especially the rookies that I can be one of the leaders,” said Troy Rosario.
Gelo Alolino led NU with 13 points but it was Rosario’s play on both ends that got the Bulldogs going in the third quarter. The versatile big man finished with nine points and six rebounds.
Parks, the former two-time UAAP MVP, decided to forgo his final two years with the Bulldogs, who avenged their loss to the Growling Tigers in last season’s Final Four.
“It’s a new season. We’ve moved on and I think the players understand that Ray (Parks) won’t be back and I told them we need to work together. It has to be a collective effort,” said Altamirano.
NU outscored UST, 22-10, at the end of the third period and led by 20, 51-31, in the final quarter after a tip in by Kyle Neypes.
Karim Abdul and Aljon Mariano paced UST with 11 and 10 points, respectively but both combined to shoot just seven-of-29 from the field.
The Growling Tigers dug themselves a hole with their erratic play that resulted to 26 turnovers and still appeared unsure at the offensive end with just their first game under new head coach Bong dela Cruz.
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