The National University Bulldogs booked the first-ever semifinals slot as they outlasted the Adamson University Soaring Falcons, 66-65, in the UAAP Season 88 Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Quadricentennial Pavilion in Manila on Saturday, November 8.
In 10.9 seconds left, Mark Parks scored a bucket and sank one free throw to improve in the rankings with a 9-2 win-loss record. Before Parks’ heroics, Matt Erolon missed two free throws a few seconds ago, which could have been the game-winner.
“Sabi nga ni coach Chot [Reyes] kagabi, ‘yung panalo ka pero pakiramdam mo talo ka. ‘Yung Adamson, binigay nila best nila, they were prepared and ready, but the basketball gods binless pa rin kami despite us playing a bad game,” Bulldogs head coach Jeff Napa said.
“Learning sa amin ito na maging ready kami. We have to take care of our own and be ready especially last stretch na ito ng second round. Dapat kami ang mag-raise ng bar sa level of competition namin. ‘Yun ang challenge ko sa team, na kailangan ipakita namin ang best performance para kahit paano ‘yung goal na gusto namin, unti-unti naming makuha.”
Jake Figueroa led the Bulldogs with 13 points and six assists, while Parks had 10 points.
For the Soaring Falcons, Matthew Montebon scored 20 points and had five rebounds, while Cedrick Manzano had a double-double performance of 12 points and 10 rebounds. Emmanuel Anabo finished the game with 11 points and seven rebounds.
Earlier that day, the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons spoiled the return of University of the East head coach Chris Gavina, 70-61.
Throughout the game, the defending champions caught fire in the first quarter as they unleashed a 16-2 run, which proved to be pivotal in their victory three quarters later.
“The first three quarters, we did well on both ends, but the second half was a different story. We’re gonna take this win, but there’s always a lot of learning, especially in the second half, if we could finish much better than that,” said Fighting Maroons assistant coach Christian Luanzon.
Francis Nnoruka led the Fighting Maroons with a double-double performance of 16 points and 12 rebounds, while Sean Alter had the best game of his life with 13 points and six rebounds. Gerry Abadiano added 10 points.
For the Red Warriors, Tope Lagat finished the match with 21 points, while Welo Lingolingo contributed 11 points and eight rebounds.
10.9
With 10.9 seconds to go, Mark Parks scored a bucket-plus-one that sealed their semifinals spot. The younger brother of former Bulldog Bobby Ray Parks Jr., the younger Park admitted that he always communicates with his older brother.
“We talk all the time, and he knows that I’m a different person, and he’s a different person as well. I’m just trying to create my own legacy; he has his. So he just told me to be myself and just be the best I can be,” he said.
Bulldogs head coach Jeff Napa could not contain his happiness that Mark’s game has been slowly being recognized.
“At least, ‘yung tinatrabaho ni Mark, unti-unti nare-recognize. I’m happy for our team, pero hindi ako natuwa dito sa game na ito. ‘Yung level up of our game coming to the last stretch of the second round is very crucial for us. Dito mare-recognize kung ano ba talaga kami,” the head coach added.
13, 6, 2
In his three years with the Fighting Maroons, Sean Alter can proudly say that his performance in their victory against the University of the East Red Warriors is his best game for the maroon and white. He finished as the second-best scorer for the Fighting Maroons with 13 points and six rebounds with two blocks.
“My confidence, I’ve always tried to keep it high. The reason I was able to get those points is because of my teammates and my coaches, cause we’ve been practicing a lot. My connection with my teammates that really showed. After a tough bucket, we really celebrate each other and we’re really close, a tight-knit family,” he said after the match.
“Also my coaches, after practice we’re at the gym working hard, working in all of our finishes and all of the things we try to do in the game.”
