Bulldogs retain Martin Cup title

MANILA, Philippines - Bobby Ray Parks Jr. fired 19 points as National U thumped Perpetual Help, 63-47, to capture the Fr. Martin Cup basketball crown at the Trinity University of Asia gym in Quezon City last Sunday.

Parks, who missed the semis due to minor ankle injury, came back strong to spearhead the Bulldogs charge and power the team to their second championship in three years.

San Beda also posted an emphatic 72-63 victory over Letran to annex the juniors title while Vangie Soriano hit two free throws in the last three seconds to lift Far Eastern U to a 48-46 victory over La Salle for the women’s crown.

Joshua Caracut, tallied 17 points, including two crucial triples in the fourth period as he powered the Red Cubs to a 10-point lead in the last five minutes en route to victory. 

Parks struck in the last minute of the second period, canning in two charities and hitting a triple to help give the Bulldogs a 30-23 lead at the turn.

Alfred Aroga and Joshua Alolino added 15 and 11 points, respectively, making the bulk during NU’s third quarter attack as the Bulldogs built a 38-23 bulge.

NU, which beat Mapua in last year’s finals, stopped the University of the Philippines Maroons, 67-63, while the Altas held off the Adamson Falcons, 57-54, to set up the title duel.