NU, La Salle set Independence Day clash for preseason title

After missing the UAAP final four last season, National University and La Salle both look to redeem themselves this year after booking finals seats in the Fil Oil-Flying V Preseason Tournament.

Bobby Ray Parks scored 30 points as the Bulldogs toppled defending champions Ateneo Blue Eagles, 85-68, while the Archers escaped with a 50-46 win over NCAA titlists San Beda Red Lions Saturday at the Fil Oil-Flying V Arena in San Juan.

Schooting a scorching 77 percent from the field, Parks also got ample support from Jeoff Javillonar, who chipped in 13 points, and Denice Villamor, who had 12 points, as well as 10 points from Emmanuel Mbe to lead NU, who lit up Ateneo from start to finish.

After dominating the first quarter with a 25-16 lead, the Bulldogs continued its rampage in the second quarter using an 11-6 run to grab a 46-35 cushion at the end of the half.

NU remained unstoppable in the third, hitting three three-pointers at the end of the quarter to lead 68-51.

Ateneo tried to claw back in the fourth quarter by trimming the lead to 13, 75-62, after a 9-5 run, but Parks drilled big shot after big shot to finally seal the victory for NU.

Seven-foot Greg Slaughter led the way for Ateneo with 21 points and seven rebounds, while Nico Salva scored 14 markers.

Meanwhile, big man Norbert Torres scored 12 points, while LA Revilla hit nine points and the clutch jumper to give La Salle victory over San Beda.

Up by two with just under 30 seconds to play, Revilla drained a stepback jumper off a timeout to push La Salle lead to four, 48-44. San Beda’s Jake Pascual scored on the other end, but they were forced to foul Revilla, who hit two free throws with 11 ticks left to clinch the second finals seat.

Pascual and Baser Amer led San Beda with 10 points each.

The Bulldogs and the Green Archers will clash for the title on June 12.

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