Ray Parks – a young, precocious, furious UAAP MVP

by By MICO HALILI


“An athlete who knows himself is unstoppable. The soul is the zone
that every athlete must strive to enter." – J.R. Moehringer

The UAAP will proclaim an 18-year old as king of college basketball. Yet the teen-ager is upset. He’s upset because his team didn’t go as far as he wanted. He’s upset because he couldn’t give his team more points. Or rebounds. Or assists. Or steals. Or blocks. Or wins.

“Next season will be a better year," Ray declares. “I can tell you that much." 

What a child wants, he tries to get. Once he fails to get it, his world crumbles. Ray Parks, the son of a 7-time PBA Best Import, the cornerstone of NU’s ambitious bid for dominance, is acting like a child. And it’s a great thing. Ironically, he’ll be better because of it. Because he refuses to settle for less. Because he takes little pride in moral victories. Because a franchise player must want to, even irrationally so, win more than anyone else.

“Each time we lose, my teammates use the word ‘bawi’. I hate that word," Ray admits. “Every time somebody says that I want to say ‘I don’t want the next game, I want THIS game.’ I hate losing." 

After his team misses the Final Four with six wins and eight losses, a mature player might react, “It’s only the start. Hopefully we can improve during the off-season and do better next year. What’s important is we competed in almost every game. There’s nowhere to go but up."

But Ray Parks is mature. He’s just not the kind of mature-talking player we’re used to. Some players shine because they’re humble. Ray stands out because he’s honest.

“I’ll tell you straight up what I see," Ray says. “Because I want others to be the same with me." 

Ang bata hindi marunong magsinungaling. Ray Parks knows he’s good. He’s not afraid to show it. It’s the most honest way to play – if you can score, go score. Opponents know he’s good. They’re not afraid to shut him down. It’s the most honest way to defend a player ready to score 30 points in a 40-minute game.

“Ray has been double-teamed. He’s had to do more. He’s playing like an import," Bobby Parks Senior shares. “And the more he gets used to that. It’s going to make him so much better." 

I’m amazed Ray Parks is still a child – albeit a man-child who can do it all. Imagine what he’ll do once he becomes a man. For now, he’s upset. Even when he makes an impossible behind-the-back pass while trying to save the ball from going out of bounds, while teammates on the bench rise from their seats to see the improbable (the scene inexplicably gets better) and his behind-the-back pass turns into an immaculate shot and no words can describe the insanity of what transpires, he fumes. Ray, as his statistics suggest, ruled the UAAP. It’s not enough. National University’s boy king wants to rule the world. —GMA News

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NU’s Ray Parks seizes UAAP MVP plum; Kiefer Ravena is top rookie fave

by By Jasmine W. Payo
Philippine Daily Inquirer

National University’s Ray Parks topped the statistical race at the end of the elimination round to virtually clinch theMost Valuable Player award in the UAAP men’s basketballtournament.

Parks, the son of seven-time PBA Best Import Bobby Parks, averaged a league-best 20 points on top of 6.5rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.1 blocks.

Finishing in the top 10 of every statistical department, Parks is also set to be the first player to bag the top individual plum despite failing to lead his team to the Final Four.

The league MVP, solely based on statistical points, will be awarded during the championship round.

“It’s a privilege, definitely,” said Parks, a 6-foot-3 southpaw guard.

“During the season, I just concentrated on getting better. But I’d rather win a championship any day than an MVP [because] an MVP is about one man. A championship speaks about the whole team.”

Parks, whose mother Marifer Barbosa is a Filipino, returned to the country with his American father last year after spending only three years in the United States. His eligibility was questioned, but he got the go-signal to play a week before the league opening.

“He has gone through a lot this season,” said NU coach Eric Altamirano.

“What I like about him is his leadership. He doesn’t just provide scoring for us, but there are a lot of intangibles that he gives us. He dives for loose balls, he defends the best players. He’s very disciplined, he’s very religious in watching and studying the games. He’s really a student of the game.”

Ateneo’s own freshman standout, Kiefer Ravena, is also a cinch for the Rookie of the Year award after averaging 13.1 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.5 steals.

Parks isn’t eligible for the rookie plum since only players fresh off high school are qualified.

Other top performers are Ateneo’s Greg Slaughter (13.3 ppg, 9.4 rpg, 1.4 apg and 1.9 bpg), Adamson’s Alex Nuyles, (15.2 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 3.3 apg) and Far Eastern University’s Aldrech Ramos (11.8 ppg, 9.4 rpg, 1.5 apg).

Also in contention for the other special awards are last year’s MVP RR Garcia of FEU (16.4 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 2.7 apg), Ateneo’s Nico Salva (12.8 ppg, 6 rpg, 1.8 apg) and University of Santo Tomas’ Jeric Fortuna (13.6 ppg, 4 rpg, 3.2 apg, 1.3 spg).

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Adamson busts Ateneo’s sweep bid, snaps a 29-game losing streak

by Celest R. Flores

MANILA, Philippines – After 30 straight tries, Adamson finally found a way to beat Ateneo.

The Adamson Falcons snapped a losing skid dating back to more than a decade ago and busted the Ateneo Blue Eagles’ bid for a sweep with a stunning 62-46 triumph Thursday in the 74^th UAAP men’sbasketball tournament.

The Falcons, who also clinched the other twice-to-beat edge, overpowered the Blue Eagles from the beginning, proving to everyone that they finally have the right stuff to compete.

“The most important thing is they will believe our team is capable of winning a championship,” said Adamson coach Leo Austria, whose squad last won against Ateneo was in Sept. 18, 1997.

“Since I came here in 2006, we’ve never won against Ateneo. We just kept on practicing and I told coach Leo [Austria] that today might be the day [that we finally beat them],” said star forward Alex Nuyles, who dazzled everyone with his arsenal of spellbinding moves.

Nuyles, who broke into tears shortly after their 10^th victory, banged in a total of 21 points and plucked sevenrebounds but it was his part in Adamson’s unrelenting defense which mostly stood out.

The Falcons, whose victory preserved the final four format and will face either University of Santo Tomas or Far Eastern University, strangled the Blue Eagles with their defense all game long and forced the three-time champions to their lowest output at seven points in a quarter this season.

Nuyles also helped limit Ateneo’s most prolific scorers – Kiefer Ravena and Greg Slaughter – to just a point in the entire third period where Adamson pulled away for good buoyed, by Nuyles’ 13 point-contribution.

And a booming trey again by Nuyles capped the 11-0 spurt to conclude the third quarter, before a slam by Kenyan reinforcement Austin Manyara gave the Falcons their biggest lead, 52-32, with over eight minutes to play.

Senior playmaker Lester Alvarez added 14 points and six rebounds for Adamson, which shot impeccably from the stripe by making all of its 19 attempts.

Usually capable of exploding any time, Ateneo just couldn’t get its bearings together by scoring just eight points in the first quarter before setting another season-low in the third.

Slaughter, leading the race for the MVP, only had 10 points and just took four trips to the line while Ravena came up with just nine points.

“Our defense was bad. We struggled,” said Ateneo mentor Norman Black.

The Blue Eagles, who couldn’t trim the lead lower than 13 points, 56-43, still hold the top spot with a 13-1 card and a twice-to-beat advantage in tow despite missing the chance of an outright finals berth.

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UAAP 74: Sweep or bust for Ateneo as Adamson tries to play spoilers role

by Reuben Terrado/JVP, GMA News

All the talk on Ateneo's quest for an elimination round sweep ends Saturday when the Blue Eagles go for the rare feat against Adamson in the 74th UAAP men's basketball tournament at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Blue Eagles take on the Falcons at 3 p.m. to clinch an outright finals berth.

And now that completing a 14-game sweep is within Ateneo's reach, coach Norman Black said that they will definitely be going for that incentive.

"There's an incentive that goes with winning. It's worth going for and it's worth striving for," Black said.

Adamson, which is also aiming for a twice-to-beat advantage in the Final Four, is the last team standing in Ateneo's way to becoming only the third team to complete an elimination round sweep.

University of Santo Tomas' Growling Tigers first accomplished the feat in 1993 with the Aric Del Rosario as coach, winning the title outright. The following year, the UAAP changed the rules and used the Final Four format.

Happenstance for Adamson as its Falcons were in the same situation almost 18 years ago.

Back in Season 56, Adamson was UST’s last victim en route to completing a 14-game sweep as the Falcons dropped a 75-68 decision opposite the Growling Tigers on September 18, 1993.

Adamson is hoping it will be a different result this time when the Falcons try to foil Ateneo's bid of sweeping the elimination round.

Adamson Leo Austria also remains confident about their chances of stunning the Blue Eagles.

"We are still in a better position than UST and FEU. We win against Ateneo and all those tough losses will all be gone," said Austria.

The Falcons, however, are coming off a 74-58 loss to UST last week. A win would have given them the outright No. 2 spot but now they are in a must-win situation to avoid a possible playoff for the second seed in the semifinals with the Growling Tigers.

Black expects a defensive struggle between the two teams as proven by the Blue Eagles' 55-51 win over the Falcons in their opening game of the season.

"We are in contrast in a way that we are a team that wants to attack inside the paint either on fastbreaks or using our size in the post or with slashes to the basket. Adamson is more of a perimeter team, they make a lot of three-point shots," said Black.

Expectations are quite high for Adamson to stop Ateneo's quest for a sweep which may be one of the reasons for the Falcons' loss to UST last week.

“We have to live up with the expectations of the community. Alam kong inaabanagan ito na makapagbigay ng laban at ma-stop namin ‘yung sweep. It was good that we had a one-week break so my players can rest and reflect on a tough loss," said Austria.

In the first game, University of the East—the second team that accomplished an elimination round sweep in 2007—and University of the Philippines battle for pride when the two cellar dwellers clash to wrap up their season at 1 p.m.

The Red Warriors and the Fighting Maroons share last place with a 2-11 card and both teams are eager to end the season on a high note.

UP has a slight advantage after it claimed its first victory over UE, 69-61, in the first round last July 14.

— Reuben Terrado/JVP, GMA News

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Ateneo triumphs

by JONAS TERRADO

Games Saturday (Smart-Araneta Coliseum)

1 p.m. – NU vs Ateneo

3 p.m. – Adamson vs UST

MANILA, Philippines — Twelve down, two to go for Ateneo.

The four-peat seeking Blue Eagles streaked to their 12th straight win by repeating over a hapless University of the Philippines squad, 73-58, to move within two wins of completing a sweep of the 74th UAAP basketball tournament elims Thursday at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.

Greg Slaughter, the 6-foot-11 center from Cebu, presided over the team’s bristling assault in the final two quarters to rip the game wide open – as expected.

He had 18 points and 15 rebounds for the Blue Eagles, who dealt the Maroons their 10th loss against only two wins.

Standing in the way of Ateneo’s sweep bid are National University and Adamson whom the Eagles will face on Sept. 3 and 10, respectively.

Meanwhile, Adamson withstood University of the East's spirited challenge early to carve out a 76-57 win and solidify its hold of second place.

The Falcons struggled throughout the first half and for some part of the third quarter as the Red Warriors surprisingly came out the more aggressive by moving the ball well.

But the troika of Eric Camson, Alex Nuyles and Lester Alvarez came through with clutch hits to spark the team’s telling breakaway late in the third which the Warriors found to hard to handle.

Adamson went on to pour more heat at the start of the payoff period to finally pull away for good.

With the victory, the San Marcelino-based cagers, who led by as many as 26 points, improved to a 9-3 record, moving two victories shy of claiming the second twice-to-beat advantage.

The scores: First Game

ADAMSON 76 - Camson 20, Nuyles 17, Alvarez 10, Cabrera 9, Brondial 8, Lozada 7, Rios 2, Colina 2, Canada 1, Petilos 0, Agustin 0, Olalia 0, Monteclaro 0, Etrone 0.

UE 57 - Zamar 17, Santos 6, Enguio 6, Casajeros 5, Noble 5, Tagarda 4, Duran 4, Zosa 3, Sabangan 2, Sumido 2, Flores 2, Javier 1, Sumang 0, de Leon 0.

Quarters: 17-14; 27-28; 51-40; 76-57.

Second Game

ATENEO 73 – Slaughter 18, Salva 16, Chua 11, Ravena 7, Tiongson 5, Long 5, Austria 4, Gonzaga 3, Erram 2, Monfort 2, Pessumal 0, Capacio 0, Sumalinog 0.

UP 58 – Silungan 16, Juruena 12, Maniego 7, Romero 6, Montecastro 4, Gamboa 4, Mbah 3, Wierzba 2, Gomez 2, Manuel 1, Gingerich 1, Pascual 0.

Quarters: 15-14; 32-28; 52-45; 73-58.

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Ateneo, La Salle renew rivalry

source: By JONAS TERRADO

Games Saturday (Araneta Coliseum)

11 a.m. – FEU vs Adamson

3 p.m. – Ateneo vs La Salle

MANILA, Philippines — Celebrated rookie center Greg Slaughter hopes to provide a fitting sequel to his impressive debut last Sunday when the four-peat seeking Ateneo renews rivalry with La Salle Saturday in the 74th UAAP basketball tournament at the Araneta Coliseum.

In his first game with the Eagles, the 6-foot-11 Slaughter, who played for University of Visayas for three years, came through with 23 points, eight rebounds and two blocks to help his team score a 55-51 win over Adamson.

He did that despite the double, if not triple-teaming defense by the Adamson Falcons.

For the Archers to contain the former Smart Gilas understudy, the Archers must come up with a solid defense in their 3 p.m. game where a sea of blue and green shirts is expected to fill the 15,000-seat Big Dome.

This will mark their 66th showdown in the league and Ateneo hopes to beat La Salle for the 39th time.

Ateneo has won nine of their 12 meetings since the 2007 season although the matches have been usually close over that duration.

Even La Salle coach Dindo Pumaren knows it will take an extra-ordinary effort to tame the King Eagle but he has designed a strategy to at least limit his moves inside the paint.

"It's going to be a tough test guarding Slaughter," said Pumaren. "We hope that the big men we got this year would be able to control his production."

Problem for the Archers is that Slaughter is not the only one capable of hitting big shots for the team.

Ateneo coach Norman Black has so many offensive options with Nico Salva, Kirk Long, Emman Monfort and Justin Chua around.

Kiefer Ravena – another celebrated rookie of the team – is expected to redeem himself following his scoreless debut.

In the opener, Far Eastern University will likewise go for a perfect 2-0 mark against a dangerous Adamson side. The Tamaraws are coming off a 74-65 win over the Archers also last Sunday.

As usual, the league will issue separate tickets to both games to ensure that more fans will be able to watch their preferred choice of match.

Out to foil Slaughter are La Salle’s forwards and centers like Norbert Torres, Arnold Van Opstal and Ponso Gotladera.

Black’s only concern is La Salle’s pressure defense.

"No. 1 thing to do against La Salle is break their press. You have to try limit your turnovers, try to break their pressure," said Black.

La Salle guard LA Revilla had a rousing return in the league with 18 points but help must also come from the likes of Maui Villanueva, Torres, Simon Atkins and Joshua Webb, among others.

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No grand debut

source: BusinessMirror.com.ph

Ray Parks Jr. Fails to shine in first game as a bulldog

BOBBY Ray Parks JR. had the golden opportunity to make his debut with National University (NU) a grand one.

But the 18-year-old rookie failed to convert in the Bulldogs’ final possession and allowed University of Santo Tomas (UST) to escape with a 73-72 thrilling win in overtime on Thursday in the 74th University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) men’s basketball tournament at the Araneta Coliseum.

Parks drove hard to the baseline but was met by a phalanx of Growling Tigers who forced him to miss. UST rookie Kevin Ferrer collared the rebound and sealed the win for the 2006 champions.

“It’s the first game. ‘Got to shake off some cobwebs,” said Parks, who finished with 16 points but was five-of-17 from the field. He also grabbed nine rebounds and blocked three attempts.

“We’ve got to bounce back the next game. We’re a rookie team. So next game, I’ve got to come out with it,” he added.

Playing his first game as a Bulldog, Parks was a little too tentative. He lost the ball in his first crack at the basket inside the first 30 seconds of the match and missed his first three attempts before scoring on a putback, his first field goal 3:40 mark in the second period.

He had a couple of fine moments though—a huge triple that pushed NU to within one, 68-69, and his 15-foot floater that gave the Bulldogs a 72-71 lead with 1:19 remaining.

But Jeric Fortuna was there to spoil his debut as the five-foot-eight guard scored on a jumper to give the lead back to the Growling Tigers, 73-72, with 39.1 ticks left.

Jul-ashri Ignacio committed a huge error in the next NU play as he dribbled on his foot. But UST failed to capitalized and gave the Bulldogs another shot at the win.

Parks, isolated against Jeric Teng, melt a few seconds and unlike in regulation, where he also had the chance for the last shot but opted to pass the ball to Cederick Labing-isa, decided to take charge. But his attempt was way off the mark.

“He did good for a rookie who played his first game in the league,” said Parks’ father Bobby, who is also the assistant athletic director of NU. “He played good but he did not shot very well. He’ll get better in the coming games and I know he will.”

Fortuna led all scorers with 23 points while Ferrer added 12 and 11 rebounds, an impressive showing for the former UAAP Juniors MVP in the game that ended at 65-65 in regulation.

“For me, Jeric is one of the best point guards in the league this season. Made na talaga ’yung bata,” said UST head coach Pido Jarencio. “As for Kevin, nagpapasalamat ako at naglaro siya sa amin. Grabe ang loyalty niya.”

Veteran forward Chris Camus had 10 points and 10 rebounds for the Growling Tigers, who also got quality minutes from Nigerian rookie center Karim Abdul.

As for Parks, Jarencio said there’s no doubt that the NU player is very talented and it so happened that they came prepared for him.

“Magaling talaga ’yung bata [Parks],” said Jarencio. “Pero mukhang buhos na ’yung laro niya. Ewan ko lang kung may ipapakita pa siyang laro. Or siguro maganda lang talaga ang depensa namin sa kaniya.”

In the second game, University of the Philippines snapped an 18-game losing skid that started two seasons ago by beating University of the East, 69-61.

Mike Gamboa fired a game-high 19 points, including a huge three-pointer, in the closing minute as the Fighting Maroons finally booked a win since their 83-78 triumph over De La Salle on August 22, 2009, at The Arena in San Juan.

“Finally the monkeys are off our backs,” said UP head coach Ricky Dandan as the Diliman-based team went 0-14 last season with Aboy Castro and Boyet Fernadez as coaches.

“But we’re a work in progress. A lot of things still have to be done. At least now, the players now know how to win again,” he added.

Mike Silungan added 15 points and four steals for UP, which also got 13 markers from Jose Manuel off the bench.

Paul Zamar was the only Red Warrior in double figures with 14 points for rookie coach Jerry Codinera. --Joel Orellana

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Kobe-led UAAP All-Stars lose to Gilas PH

source: Camille B. Naredo | abs-cbnnews.com


NBA superstar Kobe Bryant gave the Nike-UAAP All-Stars the thrill of their lives when the 5-time NBA champion decided to team with the collegiate players against the Smart Gilas Pilipinas National Team.
JV Casio, Chris Lutz, Japeth Aguilar, Jason Ballesteros and Dylan Ababou of Gilas initially played a 10-minute exhibition game against Nico Salva, Kiefer Ravena, Arnold Van Opstal, RR Garcia and Aldrech Ramos of the UAAP.

The Gilas players triumphed, 33-24.



But Bryant decided that he wanted to play as well, and asked that 8 minutes be added to the game clock.

The sold-out Araneta Center crowd went wild as the NBA star put on a Far Eastern University (FEU) jersey and warmed up before the game.




Bryant teamed up with Kirk Long, Greg Slaughter, LA Revilla and Joshua Webb, while Gilas again fielded Ballesteros, Lutz and Aguilar, along with Mark Barroca and Mac Baracael.

Despite Bryant’s presence on the other team, the Gilas players refused to back down. A lay-up from Ballesteros and a thunderous slam from Aguilar increased the Gilas lead to 37-24.

But Bryant quickly went to work. He fed Long and Slaughter on back-to-back possessions for lay-ups, and then got the crowd on their feet once again with a slam dunk.

With Bryant seemingly inspiring them, the UAAP players were able to cut the lead to 2, 41-39.

A jumper by Barroca gave Gilas some breathing room, but Bryant quickly stole the ball and rose up for a dunk that once again cut the lead to 2, 43-41.

Despite Bryant’s efforts, however, Gilas managed to hold on for the win, with Baracael sealing the victory with a lay-up.

The scoring ended at 45-41 for Smart Gilas.


After the game, both the players from Gilas and the UAAP expressed their amazement about their experience.

Lutz, who was the primary defender on Kobe Bryant, said that defending the “Black Mamba” was “useless.”

“I felt helpless out there,” he said.

“To be honest, I haven’t completely processed the experience yet,” said Slaughter.

FEU players Cawaling and Garcia expressed their happiness over Kobe’s decision to put on their school jersey.

“Nagulat nga ako nung bigla n’yang sinuot yung jersey,” said Garcia.

Cawaling said that he was proud that Bryant had put on their school colors.

But all players were in agreement that Bryant was an inspiration to them.

“His work ethic, he is one of the hardest working people in the world and in the sport,” Lutz said.

Garcia said that it was Kobe’s competitiveness that truly inspired him.

“Talagang ayaw n’yang magpatalo,” he said.

Bryant left quickly after the game, but the NBA superstar had earlier inspired the Araneta crowd with his words.

“This is one of my favorite cities in the world,” Bryant said. “The people are great, the fans are great.”

Bryant said that he appreciated the great love for basketball that the Filipinos showed.

“I’ll keep coming back here, I love it here,” the NBA legend promised.

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Will Mbe, Parks play for NU's basketball team in 2011 UAAP? - gmanews

source: REY JOBLE, GMA News
 
Cameroonian center Emmanuel Mbe and guard Bobby Ray Parks could form the future of National University in the UAAP men's basketball tournament.

But will they be able to play in the country’s premier collegiate league this year?

Athletic directors Junel Baculi of NU and Ricky Palou of Ateneo had mixed reactions regarding the eligibility status of Parks, son of seven-time Philippine Basketball Association Best Import and Hall of Famer Bobby Parks.

Palou, who represents Ateneo in regular board meetings, explained to GMA News the requirements for Fil-Am players, who have already played elsewhere, but intends to play for a college team in the UAAP.

“The Fil-Am player will need to sit out for two years and serve the necessary residency rule," Palou said in a telephone interview. “And there’s no exception to that rule."

Baculi, on the other hand, is aware of the two-year residency, but stressed that there’s an existing rule for Fil-Am players. Parks has already served a year of residency and is now playing for the Bulldogs’ team in the Filoil Flying V Preseason.

“I know that there’s a two-year residency rule for Fil-Am players who played elsewhere, but intends to play for a collegiate team in the UAAP. But there’s an existing rule that gives exemption to certain players. Of course, we cannot divulge the details at this time as we don’t want to preempt our plan for the coming board meeting," said Baculi, a multi-titled basketball coach in the Philippine Basketball League.

According to Baculi, the UAAP board is set to meet on Friday, May 6, and all participating teams in basketball will be asked to submit their line-ups.

But a member of the UAAP board who requested anonymity said the two-year residency rule for Fil-Ams should be implemented without any exemption as in the case of Mike Silungan of University of the Philippines.

“Mike Silungan waited until last year before he was allowed to play for the Fighting Maroons. Kasi, kung one year lang yun, dapat puwede na siya maglaro nu’ng 2009. So I guess the rule should be applied the same to Bobby Ray," said the source.

Far Eastern University board representative Anton Montinola, who is currently in the United States, sent a text message to GMA News to give his thoughts on the existing rule for Fil-Ams.

"Based on the exiting rule, it should be two years," said Montinola. "The eligibility committee will meet to discuss any appeal."

Georgia Tech disappointed on Parks’ decision

Bobby Ray is one among the few Fil-American players who was given a chance to play for an NCAA Division I school — Georgia Tech, the same school that produced NBA superstar Chris Bosh of the Miami Heat, Jarrett Jack of the New Orleans Hornets and retired players John Salley, Mark Price, Dennis Scott and Matt Harpring.

The 6-foot-3 incoming freshman signed a letter of intent to play for the school, but opted to go to NU, an up-and-coming team in the UAAP.

In an interview with SI.com, the website of Sports Illustrated, Georgia Tech coach Brian Gregory couldn’t hide his disappointment.

“It’s the strangest recruiting situation I’ve ever seen. Georgia Tech is likely to grant Parks his release, but will he ever play again in the US?," said Gregory.

Parks was one of the two players listed by Georgia Tech as committed to play for the Yellow Jackets squad. The other player was Julian Royal.

According to SI.com., the Yellow Jackets were impressed by the numbers Parks posted at the Nike Global Challenge in Hillsboro, Oregon, in August last year. As the lead guard on the All-Asia team, Parks averaged 22 points, 44.4-percent three-point shooting average.

But the younger Parks opted to play for NU where his dad works as a sports development director for the school.

The elder Parks, however, told SI.com that it’s not easy for his son to choose between an up-and-coming UAAP school to a US NCAA school that produced NBA stars.

“I hope you’ll write something positive about him," said Parks. “He’s made a lot of sacrifices."

NU coach Eric Altamirano refused to comment on Parks’ situation.

Vacation or basketball career in France for Mbe?

The rumors regarding Mbe seeking a basketball career in France broke out in the UAAP inner circle.

And the proof became stronger when an exeutive from the French Embassy confirmed that Mbe asked for a visa as "he will use it to tryout for teams in France."

"He said he’s headed Paris onwards," said the executive, who refused to be identified. “His visa was released three weeks ago."

Baculi and Altamirano did confirm Mbe left the country, but the cager promised he will be back by May 6.

“Well, he told us he will go there (France) for a vacation," said Baculi. “But I’m banking on his word that he will come back by May 6."

Altamirano said he’s been communicating with the Cameroonian center recently.

“We’ve been communicating through Facebook and told me he’s on his way back in the Philippines. He just went there to attend to personal matters," added Altamirano, the team’s first year coach, who too over the chores vacated by Eric Gonzales. - GMA News

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Archers shoot down Eagles in Dubai

source: By Angel L. Tesorero, ABS-CBN Middle East News Bureau

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – The archrivals in Philippine collegiate basketball gave the Filipino community in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) a down-the-wire hard court battle at the Al Ahli Sports Club Friday night.

After the smoke has subsided, the Green Archers emerged victorious over the Blue Eagles, 62-58.
Without a trace of jetlag, La Salle opened the game with a 16-3 run in the first 6 minutes of the game and ended the first quarter with a 10-point advantage over Ateneo, 21-11.

The ensuing second quarter saw an exchange of baskets from both teams but La Salle still managed to take control of the game and had a 4-point advantage, 34-30, at the close of first half.

Finding their shooting range, Ateneo went full throttle after the half time break and briefly enjoyed the driver’s seat via a 3-point shot by Bacon Austria which gave the Blue Eagles a 1-point advantage, 41-40, with 3:30 left in the third.

After the first deadlock at 44-all, Yutien Andrada and Almond Vosotros initiated a 6-0 run that gave back the lead to the Green Archers, 50-44, going into the final quarter.

Kirk Long’s drive to the basket with 5:42 left in the fourth quarter put the match into another deadlock at 54-all but the Blue Eagles went cold going into the final minutes of the game as Vosotros, the Green Archer who hails from Albay, answered with 6 consecutive points.

Vosotros led the Green Archers with 14 points followed by Norbert Torres, Mark Mendoza and Simon Atkins with 9 points apiece.

Sweet-shooting Nico Salva led the unsuccessful campaign of the Blue Eagles with 25 points.
The Filipino expats, donning their school colors, were not disappointed watching the hard court action.
Lito Soriano, an employee at the Emirates Airlines and president of De La Salle (DLSU) Alumni Association, said the basketball game brought back memories of his “good old, crazy days” when Ateneo and La Salle, the two most elite schools in the Philippines, have already been bitter rivals.

“Every Ateneo-La Salle game is a thriller and I am glad the Green Archers prevailed here in Dubai,” Soriano said.

Meanwhile, in the curtain raiser, Dubai-based United International Private School, beat a selection from the Filipino Youth Basketball League, 80-68.

The following game saw the Far Eastern Private School trounced New Filipino Private School, 64-50.
The goodwill games were organized by the Filipino Basketball Centre headed by Ramon Pizarras and supported by ABS-CBN’s The Filipino Channel (TFC), Majestic Hotel’s Tambayan sa Kanto and UAE Basketball Federation.

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