Parks Jr. gets rude welcome, blasts 4 fouls
Games Today (Alonte Sports Arena) 5:30 p.m. – Davao Occidental vs Imus 7:30 p.m. – Laguna vs Zamboanga
Allan Mangahas stole the spotlight from debuting star Ray Parks Jr. down the stretch as Muntinlupa turned back newcomer Mandaluyong, 86-74, Tuesday night for an auspicious start in the 2018 Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) Anta Datu Cup at the Smart Smart Coliseum.
The 5-foot-11 Mangahas collected 16 points, six rebounds and five assists while delivering the daggers down the stretch to help the Cagers start their road to redemption in the best way possible at the expense of the foul-plagued Parks and the coldshooting El Tigre.
Former pro Chito Jaime added 17 points while Felix Apreku tallied 10 points and 16 rebounds for the Cagers, last season’s bridesmaids who turned things around in the second period and kept the El Tigre at bay the rest of the way.
The 6-foot-4 Parks had an allaround performance of 21 points, 10 rebounds and four assists but com- mitted six turnovers and was saddled by foul trouble, picking up four offensive fouls, the last of them off a loose ball battle with Cagers’ Jamil Ortuoste with 51 seconds to play in the third period and the El Tigre down 67-58.
“It’s the first time I’ve seen in my life, four offensive fouls,” lamented the son of the late Bobby Parks.
“I attended the orientation (so) I know what a foul is. I know what an offensive foul is. I know that they don’t want me here. At the end of the day, this is a stepping stone for me. I’ll be honest, I’m not gonna be here long.”
Also emerging triumphant in the blockbuster opening day billing that ended in the wee hours of Wednesday were the Marikina Shoemasters, who proved too strong for fellow expansion team Gen. Santos City Warriors, 88-81.