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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La Salle Archers capture men's volleyball crown - sunstar

source: By Roderick Osis

DE LA Salle University stormed down second seed National University in the semis in five tough sets before finishing National College of Business and Arts in the championship round to claim the crown in the men's division at the close of the 2011 National Intercollegiate Tournament during the weekend.
Despite absorbing two losses in the quarter finals, the Archers squad pounced on NCBA to capture their first crown in the contest organized by the Philippine Volleyball Federation at the Benguet Capitol in four sets, 25-14, 26-24, 23-25, 27-25.

De La Salle earlier nipped fellow UAAP contender NU in their semis match with five grueling sets, 25-21, 25-19, 25-27, 24-26, 18-16, to march into the finals.
NCBA earlier made it to the finals after stopping Saint Dominic Savio College in their semis match, 25-19, 25-23, 21-25, 25-23.

The first runner up finish for NBCA will be their second straight year after bowing to Rizal Technological University in last year's competition while La Salle improved its third place finish from last year.

The Archers also marked the back to back victories in this year's tournament after the Lady Archers also won the championship in the distaff side.

The NU Bulldogs, meanwhile, copped third place honors by defeating SDSC, 25-18, 25-18, 20-25, 27-25, 15-8.

Individual Awards

Five Lady Archers while four other Archers bagged individual honors at the close of the tournament at the Benguet Capitol.

Charlene Cruz bagged the most valuable player crown while fellow Lady Archers Melissa Gohing (best libero), Michelle Gumabao (best attacker), and Kim Fajardo (best setter) also won individual awards while coach Ramil De Jesus took the best coach award in the women's division.

University of the Cordilleras Jhiesel Agudia and Mary Ann Biay bagged the best blocker and best receiver awards, respectively, while AMA Computer University's Janice Mary Chu took the best server award.

The men's squad of De La Salle also netted themselves individual honors led by MVP awardee Antonio Christopher, best receiver John Dela Rosa, best setter Brendern Santos, and best coach Simfronio Acaylar.

NCBA bagged two individual awards courtesy of best attacker Salvador Timbal, and best libero Jeffrey Ken Yano while NU's Peter Denmar Torres won the best blocker plum with SDSC's Kenny Harde winning the best server award.

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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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Parks keys Bulldogs' second win

source: By Olmin Leyba, The Philippine Star

MANILA, Philippines - New recruits Bobby Ray Parks and Robby Celiz fired back-to-back treys in the last 45 seconds to power National U to an 83-80 shocker over San Beda College yesterday in the Filoil Flying V Hanes Pre-Season Premier Cup at the Arena.

Parks knocked down 20 points along with eight rebounds and four assists as the Bulldogs gained a second straight win and the Group A leadership.

University of Santo Tomas outlasted defending champion San Sebastian College in double overtime, 104-102, to improve to 2-1 behind NU in Group A.

Far Eastern University drubbed Adamson, 66-61, to kick off its bid in Group B.

JR Cawaling pulled down a defensive rebound then sank his freebies with 12.7 seconds left as the Tams salvaged the win after squandering a 10-point lead in the fourth period.

“Our game plan was to keep the game close. We know how strong San Beda is so we don’t expect to win in the first half. We really tried to control the tempo, tried to get good shoots and fortunately, our shots went in, especially when it mattered,” said NU coach Eric Altamirano.

Parks canned in his lone trey of the game to knot the count at 80 before they put the clamps on SBC’s next offensive, leading to a triple from the corner by Celiz, an ex-Rizal Technological U gunner, for an 83-80 bulge, 5.4 seconds left.

Celiz and company swarmed the Lions’ shooters in the next play to seal the win for the team that blew a 10-point fourth-quarter lead and even faced a three-point deficit before Parks’ long connection.
SBC, which again played without Sudan Daniel, absorbed its second loss in three matches.
Jeric Fortuna and Clark Bautista shot crucial triples sandwiching two charities by rookie Kevin Ferrer as UST seized a 103-99 cushion then survived a wild finish in the final 40 seconds of the second OT to secure the hard-earned win.

“Hindi ganon kaganda ang laro, pati ang officiating, pero tatanggapin namin ito (We’ll take this win no matter how ugly it was played and officiated),” said UST coach Pido Jarencio, whose wards actually had the last shot in regulation but bungled the opportunity, a shortcoming repeated in the dying seconds of the first extension.

“Marami kaming mental mistakes at yung decision-making namin ang sasama (We had lots of mental lapses and our decision-making was awful especially in crunch time),” added Jarencio.

UST unleashed an 8-4 salvo capped by Clark Bautista’s triple to open up a four-point cushion with 40 ticks left in 2nd OT. Although SSC star Calvin Abueva flubbed a triple in the next play that UST cleared, the Stags regained possession after a non-call on Arwin Vitug’s duty foul against UST’s Kevin Ferrer. This led to basket by Jonathan Semira as SSC inched closer at 101-103, 15.1 ticks left.

Carmelo Afuang made one foul throw for a more breathable three-point edge then the Tigers watched Abueva score a split at the stripe and misfire a long heave to escape with the squeaker.

Cameroonian Karim Abdul fired 23 points and grabbed 17 rebounds for UST while Ferrer and Jeric Fortuna added 17 points apiece. Abueva led SSC with 33 markers and 18 boards but had eight errors.
Pippo Noundou had a 15-15 scoring-rebounding performance for FEU, which finally beat AdU after losing three successive meetings (UAAP second round, University Games and Philippine Collegiate Champions League).

The Tams broke away with a 21-8 exchange in the second canto en route to leads as big as 20 at 59-39. But the Falcons made one last stand and came to within 60-62 with still 1:14 left.

“There’s still the tendency to relax after a big lead,” FEU’s returning coach Bert Flores said in Filipino. “I told them they should play to win and not just play for themselves, especially against a contender like Adamson.”

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Parks Jr. lifts NU past UST in pre-season caging

source: gmanews.tv

National University (NU) rookie Bobby Ray Parks scored 17 points to lead the Bulldogs to a 60-52 win over University of Santo Tomas (UST) on Wednesday in the Fil-Oil Flying V Preseason Premier Cup at The Arena in San Juan City.

Parks, the son of many-time PBA Best Import winner Bobby, was the lone Bulldog to finish with double digits in scoring. He also had seven rebounds, three assists and two blocks as he provided the Sampaloc-based team enough of a cushion throughout.

But NU still needed to toughen up its defense late in the game, before leaning on a 7-0 closing spurt to seal the win.

After UST rookie Kevin Ferrer made two free throws to put the Tigers within one (52-53),NU's Denice Villamor, Jul-Ashri Ignacio and Angelo Alolino buried crucial baskets down the stretch to keep the Bulldogs out of harm's way.

Joel Betayene's split of his free throws in the 36.6-second mark set the final count.

"This will be the story of the team this year, it will be all about thriving on making stops and doing it on defense, because we are not a talented offensive team," said NU coach Eric Altamirano.

Altamirano also praised Parks' efforts despite the rookie's obviously ongoing adjustment to the Filipino brand of play. "He is still trying to learn the Filipino style but he really has a great attitude," the Bulldogs' coach said.

UST’s Cameroonian import Karim Abdul had 13 points and grabbed a game-high 23 rebounds, while Carmelo Afuang added 10 markers.

Meanwhile, San Beda bounced back from a 90-87 opening-game loss to Ateneo as the Red Lions cruised to an 88-74 win over the Arellano University Chiefs.

Ola Adeogun finished with 21 points while Rome Dela Rosa and Garvo Lanete tallied 15 markers each for the Red Lions.

Kevin Alas scored 23 points, pouring in nine in a 10-2 finish as the Knights beat Emilio Aguinaldo College, 66-54.

In the juniors division, Letran beat San Sebastian, 88-64, while NU trounced the Philippine Under-13 team, 103-44. - Reuben Terrado, JVP, KY, GMA News

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