FRIENDSHIP TOURNEY UNDERWAY

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By Robert Balajadia

The 2013 Friendship Basketball Tournament tipped off Wednesday night at the FD Phoenix Center. Four teams in Guam, Korea University, National University (Manila), and the Andersen Bombers will all face off during the week while the top two teams battle for tournament champions on Saturday.

All games will be played at the FD Phoenix Center at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.

National University (Manila) 71, Guam 65

National University’s Bobby Ray Parks, Jr. shoots the jumper over Guam’s Jin Han. (photo by Jesse Castro)

A close game all through out, National University Manila got a clutch three-point bucket from Robin Rono and a pair of free throws from widely popular Bobby Ray Parks Jr. to pull away from a tough Guam squad.

Parks Jr. is a two-time Philippines college MVP and son of Philippines basketball legend Bobby Parks. Parks, Jr. was highly recruited by Georgia Tech in 2011, but opted to stay in Manila instead.

“My dad told me stories about coming to Guam and he really enjoyed it and he loved the Filipino community here and the support here is wonderful. I really appreciate them coming out to support us,” stated Parks Jr. when asked about his father playing on Guam in a PBA exhibition in the 90’s.

Guam and Manila battled tough in the fourth quarter as Manila would take their first lead of the second half off a three-pointer from Jeoffrey Javillonar at 48-47.

After a short run by Manila, Guam’s Joe Blas and Jin Han hit back-to-back buckets to trim the lead 64-62. Blas had an opportunity to tie the game at the line, but missed both free throws in the final two minutes.

Guam had a tough time stopping Manila’s big man Emmanuel Mbe, and Mbe hit a tough jumper with less than a minute left to put Manila up 66-62.

Han came to the rescue once again for Guam, hitting a big three-pointer to pull with in one, 66-65. Han was the only member from Guam hitting the three-pointer consistently as Guam hit only one in the first half despite their many attempts. Han was the only one who hit a shot from down-town for Guam in the second half.

Manila answered back immediately with a bigger bucket off Rono’s dagger three-pointer to steal one from team Guam.

Although Manila trailed Guam in every quarter, a 26-18 fourth quarter allowed Manila to mount a late comeback.

When asked about the adjustments his team made heading into the fourth quarter, Parks Jr. Answered with, “Second half we played committed. Coming out of the first half we were just shaking off cob webs. We were coming off jet lag and we are just trying to have fun and we just played harder in the second half.”

Mbe led Manila with 21 points and 15 rebounds while Parks Jr. had 12. Joe Blas led Guam with 20 points while J.P. Cruz had 16 points and Han finished with 14.

University of Korea 102, Andersen Bombers 71

The fast paced Korean team buried Andersen in a flurry of three pointers. The game got away from the Bombers in the second quarter as Korea started to spread the floor and and cruise to a big victory.

Upcoming Schedule: Thursday Oct. 24

Guam vs. University of Korea @ 6 p.m.

Andersen vs. National University Manila @ 8 p.m.

PHOTO GALLERY BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

Guam’s JP Cruz drives the ball hard into the paint to sink a layup. (photo by Jesse Castro)

National’s Glenn Khobuntin soars in to make two points. (photo by Jesse Castro)

Guam’s Joe Blas drives into the paint to shoot a jumper over National’s Bobby Ray Parks, Jr. (photo by Jesse Castro)

National’s Lee Dennice Villamor sinks the layup during a fast break play. (photo by Jesse Castro)

National’s Glenn Khobuntin drives the ball in for a layup. (photo by Jesse Castro)

Guam’s Vince Estella shoots for three points. (photo by Jesse Castro)

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