NU Bulldogs VS UP Maroons

The “real” Bobby Ray Parks Jr. showed up as National University trampled University of the Philippines, 75-66, to nail its first win after an opening game setback.

Contained by the UST Tigers in the Bulldogs’ 72-73 overtime loss last week, Parks waxed hot with 30 points – the league’s first 30-point output since Ateneo’s Rabeh Al Hussaini’s tally on Aug. 13, 2009 against University of the East – on an 8-of-13 clip.

“Bobby Ray had a good game. Overall, he had very good numbers; he provided not only the scoring for us but the stability when we needed it most,” said NU coach Eric Altamirano.

Parks also grabbed a team-high nine rebounds to go with three assists and two steals.

“Everybody came together even though we struggled in losing our first game and we got the jitters out. Everybody stepped up, played their roles, we rebounded better and we took care of the ball more. It’s a job well done, we prepared hard for it,” said Parks.

The 6-4 rookie bounced back from his 16-point performance and 5-of-20 shooting against UST, his life made more miserable then by Jeric Teng’s sticky defense.

“First game, I couldn’t breathe; he (Teng) was really like my jersey. I was adjusting to the refs, too. And we definitely took on pressure of losing our first game and getting all that comments about overrated and all that. But the team succeeded, they got my back, we stayed together and played well as a team,” said Parks.

The Bulldogs seized control with a 10-0 start but a letdown allowed the Maroons to wrest the lead (43-40) in the second quarter. Then Parks came to their rescue and NU pretty much stamped its class since.

“One thing positive about this match compared to our last game was we were able to gain back our composure and poise because admittedly this team is young so there’ll be a lot of growing pains, learning curve for us this season,” said Altamirano.

Mike Silungan was held down to a mere five points for UP (1-1), which was led by Jose Manuel’s 21 and Anjelo Montecastro’s 12. – Olmin Leyba