NU's Parks makes UAAP debut against UST

Bobby Ray Parks Jr. tries to put the fanfare brought by his eligibility case when the highly-touted rookie debuts for National University in the second day of action in the 74th UAAP men's basketball tournament. Parks hopes to help Bulldogs' rookie coach Eric Altamirano, who will be making his return to the collegiate basketball scene, to a victory against the Tigers in the 1 p.m. first game. Altamirano said Parks will be the first option in offense this season for the rejuvenated NU squad, which will attempt to barge into the Final Four after its surprising run in 2001. "The personality of this team is that we are a defensive team so I expect Bobby Ray to give us that option on offense," said Altamirano, who replaced Eric Gonzales after a one-season stint with University of the Philippines in 1996. Parks will get support from last year's Mythical Team member Emmanuel Mbe along with sophomore Glenn Khobuntin, veterans Joseph Terso and Ajeet Singh, and fellow rookies Kyle Neypes and Cedrick Labing-isa. UST is also looking to return to the Final Four after missing the semis last year. The Tigers will also be parading rookie Kevin Ferrer, one of the Tigers' eight neophytes this season. Ferrer, overshadowed by the build-up surrounding Parks and Ateneo's Greg Slaughter and Kiefer Ravena, is equally capable of helping the Tigers reach the Final Four. He can pile up the numbers for UST being last year's UAAP juniors MVP. Cameroonian rookie Karim Abdul is also expected to contribute and help UST's frontline on defense. Other first-year players include Louie Vigil, Ron Javier, Kent Lao, Jamil Sheriff, Robin Tan and Jaypee Sarcia. Jeric Fortuna, Chris Camus and Melo Afuang are returning for Tigers coach Pido Jarencio. In the second game, University of the East opens a new chapter in college basketball when it faces UP at 4 p.m. The Red Warriors will play this season minus top scorer Paul Lee and reliable Ken Acibar with coach Jerry Codiñera, a member of the last UE team that won the title in 1985, will lean on Lucas Tagarda and Paul Zamar for veteran leadership. UP hopes to turn its fortunes around this season following a 0-14 campaign last year with Nigerian rookie Alinko Mbah hoping to complement Mike Silungan in scoring. - Reuben Terrado/JVP, GMA News