Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times

Basketball

PBA remains in constant communication with Ray Parks


PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial revealed that he has spoken to both Ray Parks and TNT with the hope that both camps will be able to find a resolution soon.

“Ilang beses na kami nag-usap ni Ray Parks at ng Talk N Text,” the amiable executive said in the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum, Tuesday.

It has been almost two months since the 27-year-old announced that he will not suit up for the Tropang Giga this season due to personal reasons. There have been no updates on whether both sides have worked things out already.

Their relationship turned sour, to say the least, as Parks’ reasoning was questioned by no less than team owner Manny V. Pangilinan through a post on his personal Facebook account.

That issue even reached the board level through league chairman Ricky Vargas, also the team governor of TNT. Parks is the second player in as many years to take a break from playing in the league.

Such a development was surprising, to say the least, since he was coming off an impressive campaign in the Philippine Cup bubble last year. He helped steer the flagship MVP franchise to its first all-Filipino finals since 2013.

Parks averaged a team-best 20.1 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.2 steals in nearly 38 minutes of play in the eliminations. He also led TNT to the no. 3 seed to clinch a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals.

He then carried over his fine play in the playoffs, especially in the semis. There, he towed TNT from a 1-2 deficit versus Phoenix Super LPG on the way to the Finals with norms of 27.8 markers, 8.4 boards, and 3.6 dimes.

#ReadMore  Francis Escandor rises above the noise in big win over UP

It was too unfortunate, then, that a nagging calf issue hurt their title chances. In the end, the Tropang Giga bowed to Ginebra, 1-4. Still, he was stellar, even becoming a favorite to win Best Player of the Conference honors.

Many then expected that the former three-time ABL MVP would receive a big contract. Previously, he’d only signed a one-year extension in February of last year. Then came his shocker of an announcement last March 6.

Marcial did not divulge what he and Parks have talked about. Still, he hopes that everything will turn out fine for both parties.

“Si Ray, dalawa o tatlong beses na nakausap ko. Sana talaga, maayos,” the fourth-year league chief said.

Written By

Oftentimes on the sidelines. Forever a student of the game. Morayta-bred.


You May Also Like

Basketball

ANTIPOLO – it’s going to be an extra special PBA All-Star stint for Roger Pogoy. The TNT star couldn’t be any more blessed to...

Basketball

ANTIPOLO – San Miguel got lucky in the end against TNT, 91-89, in a clash of PBA Philippine Cup contenders, Sunday night at the...

Basketball

TNT cut short Terrafirma’s unbeaten streak, 100-97, for its second win of the PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup, Saturday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum....

Basketball

Blackwater earned a huge 87-76 upset against TNT to take the early lead in the PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup, Saturday at the SMART...

Basketball

ANTIPOLO – Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser’s TNT debut on Wednesday night not only marked the beginning of his journey with the perennial PBA contenders. It was...

Basketball

ANTIPOLO – Experience proved to be the difference as TNT came from behind to beat Rain or Shine, 108-107, for a victorious start to...

Basketball

The PBA has decided to scrap the Slam Dunk Contest in its 2024 All-Star festivities in Bacolod as the supposed participants are out due...

Basketball

Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser is heading to TNT. In a trade approved by the PBA Office on Monday, the 6-foot-6 big man will join his brother...

Advertisement