UAAP: Parks leads NU in trumping UP

MANILA, Philippines—Ray Parks backed up the hype this time as National University turned back University of the Philippines, 75-66, in the UAAP Season 74 Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum.

After a cold-shooting debut, Parks heated up for 30 points on an efficient 8-of-13 right from the field.

Parks, who shot five-of-20 on Thursday’s 72-73 loss to UST, also collected nine rebounds, three assists and a couple of steals.

“Overall he (Parks) had a good game, he provided us stability,” said NU coach Eric Altamirano of his blue-chip recruit.

The Bulldogs pulled away from a 43-all halftime score to take the lead for good.

Parks was the first player to reach 30 points since August 13, 2009, when Ateneo’s Rabeh Al-Hussaini did it against University of the East.

The Maroons drew stellar plays from unlikely names in Jose Manuel and Anjelo Montecastro, who led UP with 21 and 12 points respectively.

UP star Mike Silungan struggled with five points on a miserable 2-of-12 shooting.

NU led by nine at the end of the first period before UP put up a blistering 13-2 run halfway through the second to take a 28-26 spread.

However, the Maroons, who defeated UE in their first game to end an 18-game losing skid, failed to sustain their momentum.