Bulldogs down Cardinals, rule Fr. Martin Cup

National University can now be taken as a serious contender in the upcoming UAAP basketball season after the Bulldogs, led by two prolific rookies, scored an 87-83 overtime win over Mapua in the 17th Fr. Martin Summer Cup finals at the San Beda Gym. "The team showed confidence, will to win and fighting spirit in this tournament," said Eric Altamirano, a multi-titled coach who is a member of the Joe Lipa-mentored University of the Philippines squad that won the UAAP title in 1986. "These qualities will be very important if we want to make a dent in the coming UAAP season," he added. Bobby Ray Parks, son of many-time PBA best import Bobby Sr., scored five of his 30 points in overtime to lead the Bulldogs to their first pre-season crown since topping the tournament eight years ago under former mentor Rico Perez. NU, then powered by Rey Mendoza and Froilan Baguion, defeated La Salle in the 2003 finals. The 6-foot-4 Parks, a former member of the Philippine 3-on-3 squad that finished ninth in the 1st Youth Olympics in Singapore, made two free throws in the final seconds of the match to secure the win for the Bulldogs. Dennis Villamor, a rookie transferee from Rizal Technological University, will also be a marked man for the Bulldogs after scoring 18 points. He made the two free throws that broke an 83-all deadlock. Parks and Villamor's UAAP stint, however, still needs to pass through the eligibility screening committee, which will decide whether both players can suit up for NU. – JVP, GMA News