FilOil caging: Parks sizzles as NU posts opening day win vs San Beda in OT

MANILA, Philippines -- Bobby Ray Parks banged in a trey that forced overtime then proceeded to pour in six of his 23 points in the extra period as the NU Bulldogs pulled an escape act against NCAA Champion San Beda Red Lions, 73-71, at the start of the FilOil Flying V Premier Cup at the FIlOil Flying V Arena at San Juan today.

This marks a good opening for the Bulldogs’ defense of their FilOil title.
Trailing for most of the game, the Bulldogs toughened up on defense and made timely baskets to pave the way for Parks’ endgame heroics.

NU held San Beda scoreless for four minutes in the payoff period. The Bulldogs' foreign recruit, Alfred Aroga, ran rampant in the fourth as he combined with Parks, scattering 16 points to give NU its first taste of the lead since the opening canto with a minute to go.

Aroga finished the game 14 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks to backstop Parks. Jeth Rosario provided the spark off the pine for the Bulldogs as he had 12 points while hauling down eight rebounds of his own and holding the fort inside for NU.

San Beda was lead by its imposing frontline bannered by Kyle Pascual, Ola Adeogun, Art Dela Cruz and Rome Dela Rosa. Pascual, Dela Rosa and Adeogun each scored 14 points while hauling down 23 boards between them. Art Dela Cruz dropped in 13 of his own as he tried to keep the Lions afloat in the overtime period.

They tried to bully their way inside and were successful for three and a half quarters before bricking and running out of gas towards the end.

The Red Lions’ star point guard, Baser Amer, who finished with seven points, 10 assists and a steal, could have won the game for the Mendiola-based squad had he canned both his charities with 10 seconds left in regulation.

This left the game at the hands of NU’s star guard and son of late seven-time PBA Best Import Bobby Parks, as he swished the trey from right quarter court before pointing upwards in honor of his father.‬