Parks, Bulldogs ward off Eagles for twice-to-beat semis edge

MANILA, Philippines – The NU Bulldogs banked on the leadership and scoring of Bobby Ray Parks as they repulsed a stubborn Ateneo Blue Eagles, 70-65, to gain a twice-to-beat incentive in the Final Four of the 76th UAAP men's basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena Wednesday night.

Parks scored a team-high 24 points while Jean Mbe provided a double-double output with 17 markers and 13 boards as the Bulldogs assured themselves a twice-to-beat incentive for the first time since 1994.

"Ateneo is a very good offensive team. They are really fast and they attack the basket but I told the boys if we're going to win, we need to do it on defense and we did it collectively that's why we won," said NU coach Eric Altamirano.

"We're very humbled with this victory. We're thankful to God for this opportunity," he added.

Ateneo took a 53-52 lead after JP Erram's jumper with 5:52 remaining in the payoff period, but NU countered with a 10-3 run to restore order and take a 62-55 upperhand at the 2:44 mark.

Chris Newsome launched a one-man comeback and scored all seven points to cut the Eagles’ deficit 65-63 with 37.2 ticks left.

The Bulldogs then designed an isolation play for Parks, and the reigning two-time MVP found an open Denice Villamor for a corner triple to give them a 68-63 margin with 22.2 seconds remaining.

"It was an iso play towards the end, but Denice found an open lane. I just have to trust my teammates. We can only win games if we do it together," said Parks.

Newsome once again came through for Ateneo with two freebies to trim the lead to three, and the Eagles managed to force a jumpball in the ensuing possession, which they won after Gelo Alolino held the ball after the tip – an automatic violation for the jumper.

Juami Tiongson had the chance to tie the game but missed a triple on top of the key. Parks then grabbed the rebound and was immediately fouled with 8.3 ticks left in the clock.

Parks sank both freebies to ice the game, which also moved NU a win away from a finals appearance.

"We lost a tough game against La Salle but after the game, we still had the opportunity to take the twice-to-beat kasi bihira lang to have a second chance," said Altamirano.

"Di naman kami mapili .Importante top two, lahat naman makakapasok diyan magagaling, we just have to take this opportunity and make full use of the advantage to enter the finals," Altamirano replied when asked if they are hoping to clinch the number one spot.

Newsome paced the Eagles with 17 points and 11 rebounds while Erram is the only other Ateneo player to score in double figures with 11 points.

The Katipunan-based squad dropped to 7-6 but remains in contention for the last ticket to the Final Four.