When adversity struck, National University didn’t flinch.
With Gelo Santiago sidelined by a five-game suspension, the Bulldogs found strength in unity. And swingman Bobby Mark Parks embodied that resilience in NU’s gritty 75-67 victory over De La Salle University on Sunday in the UAAP Season 88 Men’s Basketball Tournament.
Parks, who logged 15 minutes and 12 seconds, made his presence felt on both ends of the floor. He finished with seven points, two rebounds, and a host of defensive stops that rarely show up on the stat sheet.
But the 24-year-old swingman from Memphis, Tennessee, refused to make it about himself.
“We did our part,” he said.
“We played our roles. We stepped up. Those who came on the court stepped up and did what they’re supposed to do.”
Before his ejection last week for a blatant elbow on Ateneo’s Waki Espina, Santiago had been one of NU’s defensive anchors.
Yet instead of sulking over his absence, the Bulldogs turned it into motivation — proof that their system under coach Jeff Napa is built on accountability and trust.
“I just stepped up,” said Parks. “I wasn’t thinking much when I stepped on the court. The coaches and the players know what I could do. I just stepped up and did what I was supposed to do for Gelo as well.
“I just hope he learned his lesson, of course. We just stepped up and did our part for him as well. It’s for him as well. He knows his mistakes. We just tried to help him and contribute today.”
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
NU’s cohesion and maturity have become its defining traits this season.
At 8-2, the Bulldogs are within striking distance of the Final Four, chasing what could be their first UAAP title since 2014.
“I think everybody had the same feeling, but we communicated with each other,” Parks added.
“It wasn’t really a problem, honestly. We just stepped up and did our part like Coach Jeff always told us.”
For Parks, wearing NU’s blue and gold carries extra meaning.
The Parks surname has long been intertwined with the Bulldogs’ history ever since his older brother Bobby Ray Parks Jr. electrified Jhocson faithful back in Season 74.
The younger Parks doesn’t shy away from that legacy — he embraces it.
“I learned a lot from him and his game. I watch his tapes all the time. We always talk about it. Whatever he gives me, I just take it to heart and apply it to my game,” said the younger brother of the former UAAP Most Valuable Player.
“He told me just to stay focused on the game, do what you’re supposed to do and hoop.”
While traditional powerhouses like La Salle, Ateneo, UP, and UST have taken turns riding highs and lows this season, NU’s steadiness has quietly separated them from the pack.
Few expected the Bulldogs to top the standings at this stage — but with their defense-first mentality, balanced attack, and next-man-up culture, they’ve earned every bit of their rise.
Still, Parks insists there’s no reason to get ahead of themselves.
“Yeah, we worked hard all year,” he said. “Whatever the outcome is, we can be satisfied because we know we put in the effort and the work, and that’s all there is.
“Just keep communicating with each other every game, play hard, do what you’re supposed to do and get the job done — that’s all there is.”
#WATCH: Mark Parks steps up in Gelo Santiago’s absence, following Kuya Ray’s example of staying locked in 🐶🏀#ReadMore 👉 https://t.co/rBuLfCSYhl
📹 @lorenzodelc /Tiebreaker Times#UAAPSeason88 pic.twitter.com/P2Rxd5v98a
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) November 2, 2025
