Fortuna key hits lift Tigers over Bulldogs

Manila, Philippines - Eyes were on National University’s celebrated rookie Bobby Ray Parks but it was Jeric Fortuna who shone brightest as the UST Tigers outlasted the Bulldogs in overtime, 73-72, in the UAAP Season 74 men’s basketball tournament at the Araneta Coliseum yesterday.

After orchestrating the Tigers’ fightback from seven points down to force extension, Fortuna fired six of his game-high 23 points in the extra period, including a dagger layup with 39.1 ticks.

Jeric Teng then stood his ground against Parks and put a hand on the 6-4 forward who missed as time expired and UST took a share of the early lead with Ateneo and Far Eastern U.

“What can I say about Fortuna? The boy’s already made. For me, he’s one of the best point guards this season,” said UST coach Pido Jarencio of his starting playmaker, who fired two of his three triples in a 13-6 wind-up that led to a tie after regulation.

Fortuna also had six rebounds, two assists and one steal to lead UST, which drew a 12-point, 11-rebound maiden game from last year’s juniors MVP Kevin Ferrer.

“We’re on a mission this year – we’re looking for redemption after finishing seventh last season. We’re ready to fight to the finish against any team,” Jarencio said.

NU was led by transferee Dennis Villamor with 19 points and nine rebounds while Parks had 16 on 5-of-20 FGs and nine boards.

“We didn’t pull through in the end. I thought we had the game under control when we went up by seven (59-52 with 3:55 left in the fourth) and then Fortuna took over, hit two big treys and after that we panicked already. That showed our inexperience,” said NU coach Eric Altamirano.

University of the Philippines outclassed University of the East, 69-61, to snap a harrowing 18-game losing streak spread over two years and an eight-game skid against the Red Warriors dating back to 2006.

“It was a joy to watch our guys out there. We’ve got the monkey off our back and now so we can focus playing the other teams,” said UP’s new coach Ricky Dandan.

UP wound up with a 0-14 card last season and the Maroons already improved on that with this win.

The Maroons’ last victory in the league was an 83-78 triumph over La Salle on Aug. 22, 2009. It was also their first over the Warriors since their 90-85 verdict on Sept. 3, 2006.

Not only did UE lost the game, they also face the possibility of losing starting guard Lord Casajeros for their next outing after he was levied a disqualifying foul against UP’s Anjelo Montecastro in the fourth canto.