The last time National University won a UAAP title the Philippines was still the best basketball country in Asia, and the country was among the most prosperous in the Pacific. In a way, the long, hard road of NU is a lot like the long, hard road of the Philippines itself since then. For whole decades, the NU varsity program seemed to do nothing but speak of what it was like “in the good old days.” A rather crusty veteran sports writer even harped on this point during the UAAP Season 74 press conference held the Monday before opening weekend. That may finally change this season.

Arguably the most important development for NU basketball is the UAAP Board voting to allow guard Bobby Rey “Rey-Rey” Parks Junior to play this season. There were questions about Parks’s eligibility primarily and supposedly because not everyone believed his Filipina mother was an overseas Filipino worker who had a job in the United States. Having spent several years in the United Stated, it was believed by some quarters that Parks would have to sit the requisite two years of residency before being allowed to play in the UAAP. Parks however was born in and spent most of his early childhood in the country. NU invoked the exception to that general rule, i.e. that children of OFW parents working overseas are exempt from that rule. In that fateful board meeting, it was a close vote but Parks got the nod. “Sana nga makalaro ako, because it is really my dream na makalaro in the UAAP,” Parks said in an interview at the UAAP Season 74 press conference, in a mix of fluent Tagalog and English, to the surprise of many in attendance unaware of his bilingual upbringing.

Parks will finally be that go-to superstar that the Bulldogs have not had since Lordy Tugade and Danny Ildefonso brought the team to the Final 4 under Manny Dandan about a decade and a half ago. Parks comes from prime stock, the son of multi-titled seven-time PBA Best Import Awardee Bobby Parks. “He’s a more complete player though, and he’s more complete athletically, better able to play at the perimeter than I did,” said the elder Parks in one radio interview. “He can play both guard positions, and even the small forward spot if he has to,” he added.

But he won’t be the only one head coach Eric Altamirano will be leaning on this season. 6-foot-6 African center Emmanuel Mbe is finally back after a rather extended vacation in France. Mbe was among the most productive players in the UAAP last season, and was among league leaders in rebounds and blocks. He still has some awkward moments in the lane but he is a big, strong presence inside. Pointguard Joseph Terso, off-guard Ajeet Singh, swingman Choy Ignacio, forwards Jeff Javillonar and Glenn Khobuntin, and center Marion Magat are also back. Joining them are several highly touted newcomers: pointguards Cedric Labing-isa and Gelo Alolino, and forwards Kyle Neypes, Dennis Villamor and Rob Celiz. This roster beat a veteran Mapua tech squad for the Fr Martin Cup summer tournament title behind the 30 point of Parks and 19 from Villamor. “I think we have one of the best rosters in the history of the school, so definitely we will be competitive,” said Altamirano.

NU has also bolstered its roster for the high school campaign but a lot of their players are newcomers and will be tested in the UAAP junior division.