Bulldogs keep Maroons winless
All bite in the payoff canto, National University roared to a masterful 74-60 victory over hapless University of the Philippines Sunday to gain a piece of the second spot in the UAAP Season 76 men’s basketball action at the MOA Arena.
Reigning two-time league MVP Ray Parks showed the way with 18 points, 14 off them coming from the charity stripe, while three other teammates contributed at least 10 for NU, which exploded for 21 markers in the decisive canto.
The victory, coming on the heels of a 71-67 triumph against University of Santo Tomas last Wednesday, enabled the Bulldogs to tie the Growling Tigers at second with identical 3-1 marks, just half-a-game behind unscathed Far Eastern University.
ALSO READ: 'We have to learn to close it out' - Sauler
Ace gunner Sam Marata tallied eight of his team-high 14 points in a big third quarter showing but the Fighting Maroons simply folded against the Bulldogs’ imposing offensive charge in the payoff canto, leading to their fourth straight defeat.
Backstopping Parks was Cameroon import Sean Mbe, who finished with a double-double of 15 points and 12 rebounds, while guard Joshua Alolino dished out a solid outing of 12 points, seven assists and six rebounds for the Bulldogs, who shot 30-of-40 from the 15-foot line.
The Main Man: Alolino is fast proving he belongs to the league’s elite cast of playmakers.
Often overshadowed by his more heralded teammates like Ray Parks and Sean Mbe, the 5-foot-11 guard silently made his impact against the Fighting Maroons, coming up with six of his seven assists in the second half.
A former high school gunner, Alolilo also played the pick-and-roll offense with forward Troy Rosario to perfection in the fourth that ignited the team’s decisive push.
Honorable Mention: A gifted scorer, Parks intends to put up the numbers in every possible way.
Aware that UP’s defense is mainly focused on him, the 6-foot-3 Parks relentlessly attacked the paint and, in the process, got tons of fouls.
Although he missed 10 of his 12 attempts from the field, Parks camped out at the charity stripe, making his first eight and 14 overall in 18 attempts.
Game Turning Point: Ahead by just six after 30 minutes of play, the Bulldog suddenly went on a big tear in the fourth, with Rosario scoring six straight points in sparking a decisive 10-1 charge that made it a 63-48 count.
With the Maroons firing bricks, the Bulldogs continued their dominance, leading by as many as 71-52 off a Parks split charity, virtually closing out the deal going to the final 2:43.
He Said It:
NU coach Eric Altamirano: “I thought we did a good job defensively in the fourth. At the same time, nag-click ‘yung offense namin. We were abale to pull away in the fourth. We also want to make sure we don’t rely on Parks too much on offense. Jelo did a good job spreading the leather.”
The scores:
NU (74) – Parks 18, Mbe 15, Alolino 12, Rosario 10, Javillonar 9, Rono 3, Alejandro 3, Villamor 2, Khobuntin 2, Porter 0, De Guzman 0.
UP (60) – Marata 14, Lao 11, Soyud 10, Ball 8, Gallarza 5, Pascual 3, Gingerich 3, Asilum 3, Wong 2, Ligad 1, Suarez 0, Paras 0, Desiderio 0, Amar 0.
Quarterscores: 21-13, 39-29, 53-47, 74-60.
