Bobby Ray Parks, Jr. could not wait to compete with his compatriots in Japan in the much-awaited 2021-22 B.League season, which starts October.
The 28-year-old just became the latest Filipino to take his talents to the Land of the Rising Sun after signing a one-year deal with Nagoya, who’s one of the more storied franchises of the premier Japanese league.
“To be honest, it’s gonna be competition,” he told Radyo5’s Power and Play, Saturday. “Because like I said, we’re all just trying to feed our families. But then, as soon as we step on the court, it’s bigger than what’s on the court, I feel.
“Because now, we’re representing a whole country, and showing that basketball is borderless,” furthered the well-travelled guard.
One of the most anticipated clashes he’s set for is with contemporary Kiefer Ravena, who signed with Shiga last June.
Both coming off stellar PBA runs, the second-generation stars are set to go toe-to-toe on October 23 and 24 at the Diamond Dolphins’ home floor. Another round will take place on February 5 at the Lakestars’ arena.
Parks is also set to meet Kiefer’s younger brother, the trailblazing Thirdy, as Nagoya battles San-en on October 27 at NeoPhoenix’s grounds. They will lock horns once more on March 9 in Nagoya.
Aside from the Ravenas, the only three-time ABL Most Valuable Player will face Javi Gomez de Liano and his Ibaraki Robots on January 8.
“That’s a lot of great talent here,” offered Parks. “There’s a reason why they’re here and got recruited. And all I can say is that I’m proud of everybody and I’m excited to go up in competition with everybody.
“Because you know, you want competitions. Iron sharpens iron. And these kids and this talent, as I said, everybody that you named are here for a reason, and all you wanna do is compete with them,” he added.
As excited as he is in playing against them, Parks said that they’re all Filipinos at the end of the day. And representing the country overseas is what matters the most, according to the former Gilas Pilipinas member.
Six Pinoys are in the B.League as of now. Aside from the aforementioned, there are Juan Gomez de Liaño and Kemark Cariño, who signed with B2 ball clubs Earthfriends Tokyo Z and Aomori Wat’s, respectively.
“At the end of the day, we’re still brothers, we come from the same country and represent the same people.
“So that’s one of the things I’m actually excited for,” the son of the legendary Bobby Parks said.
