THE NATIONAL University Bulldogs and the La Salle Green Archers prevailed over their respective opponents to keep in step with one another as the race for the Final Four heats up in the 75th UAAP men’s basketball tournament at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
The Bulldogs fended off the hungry University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, 65-60, while the Archers followed suit in the second game as they defeated the Far Eastern University Tamaraws, 63-56. The two teams own similar 8-5 (win-loss) records.
League MVP Bobby Ray Parks solidified his MVP bid for this season with 17 points, six rebounds and four assists to send off the Maroons to a season-ending 13th loss in 14 games.
Still, UP did not go down without a fight as they came back from an 18-point deficit and were within just three, 60-63, with 1:07 left. A free-throw gave the Bulldogs a four-point lead and UP was not able to come any closer after that.
In the second game, La Salle held down FEU to just nine points in the third canto and fought off repeated rally attempts in the fourth period.
Almond Vosotros tied his career high with 21 points while FEU got 26 from Terrence Romeo. /Correspondent Jonas Panerio