May 19, 2016
Countdown to Manila OQT: 47 days
Ray Parks could only smile after not being in the proper position in a 5-on-0 fastbreak play that Gilas Pilipinas members had run in their Wednesday afternoon practice at the Meralco Gym.
It wasn’t the only time Parks looked lost during the three-hour practice session; before that, Parks had failed to sprint to the wing in a drill which required him to hit a player at the corner with an extra pass. He also looked confused when Gilas started to run their swing offense.
But the 22-year-old wing man understands joining Gilas practice just a few days after returning to Manila, as he spent the last year chasing his NBA dream in the United States, would somehow pan out that way. Instead of being disheartened, Parks has even been inspired to join the rest of the pool members of the national team — some of which he had grown up watching.
Parks said he has one goal in mind, and that is to make the final cut of the Gilas roster.
“I hope so. I’ve been praying on it. But you can’t expect on it too much, expectations will only let you down. You have to motivate yourself,” Parks said after Gilas wrapped up its Wednesday practice.
Parks has been part of many national squads in the past, like the 3×3 team in the 2010 Singapore Youth Games and the Southeast Asian Games squad the year after.
But to make the final 12 of the squad that will compete against the world’s most competitive teams for a shot at an Olympic stint is something different and unparalleled.
And that is what Parks is working ever so diligently for.
“I am ready. I have been putting a lot of work. Nobody sees what I do in the gym, that is why I am starting to give snippets of what I do on Instagram and people appreciate it. It has been a whole year’s worth of that,” Parks said.
The 22-year-old forward, who suited up for the Dallas Mavericks’ 2015 Las Vegas Summer League team and the Texas Legends of the NBA D-League later that year, said he has learned many lessons from the year’s worth of experience, and he is eager to bring them to Gilas Pilipinas this time.
“It was great. There was a lot of ups and downs. I am able to play at that level and at the same time learn the ins and outs of basketball,” Parks said.
“(I learned) a lot. On the court, you learn from some of the best. Nick Van Exel is a great coach. I have my trainer who took my game to another level.”
Gilas team manager Butch Antonio himself said Parks’ addition to the pool shall only make practices even more competitive.
“Bobby Ray’s inclusion sa pool, it is definitely a big plus. He will make the fight for spots tighter, which is also good. Players will have to keep on fighting for spots in the team, sabi nga ni coach,” Antonio shared.
Parks believes his game has changed a lot as well, saying it is more efficient than it was a few years back.
“Everything (has changed). My style of play, the pace that I play, being smart, thinking the game more instead of just going fast, because I looked at my game back in college,” Parks said.
“I felt like I was terrible back in college. I felt like I was going on one speed, getting to the rim, or I added a three or a pull-up to my game but it wasn’t consistent. But now it is more of in control and I would say efficient. It’s not that I am doing wrong stuff before. It’s just learning different types of moves, how to play the game before efficient. Trying to use my athleticism.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16Rh0RpQSPM
It doesn’t take one that long to notice what has changed in Parks – in both game and appearance. The former two-time UAAP MVP looks noticeably bulkier. Parks’ handling, passing, and shooting skills are all better. He showed flashes of those in that Wednesday practice session.
It will still be a process for him to learn Tab Baldwin’s style of play, but that should be a breeze considering the pressure he’s handled throughout the past year.
Parks took the time after the media session to do some extra shoot-around, not minding what’s surrounding him.
After all, he is motivated for one thing.
“Putting on that jersey,” he said.
