Ray Parks dazzled in his first game to power TNT’s masterful performance over TerraFirma, 112-101, in the 2020 PBA Philippine Cup Tuesday night at the Angeles University Foundation Sports and Cultural Center in Pampanga.
The second-generation cager poured a new career-high of 40 points on an excellent 72-percent shooting from the field, along with 11 rebounds to tow the Tropang GIGA to the top of the standings with a 2-0 record.
Parks is the second Texter in as many games to score 40 after Roger Pogoy, who produced 45 markers in their 100-95 victory over the Alaska Aces in the first game of the season resumption last Sunday.
According to league stats chief Fidel Mangonon III, Pogoy and Parks are the first local teammates in 30 years to score at least 40 points in a game one after the other in a conference, or since Shell’s Ronnie Magsanoc had a career-high 40 in a 138-134 loss to Presto on July 1, 1990 and Benjie Paras had 45 in a 155-108 rout of Pepsi four days later.
“Ine-expect lang namin sa kanila is to come out strong. Kailangan ma-rebuild namin ‘yung character ng team. Bonus na lang sa amin ‘yung naka-40 points sila,” said TNT head coach Bong Ravena. “Hopefully masustain nila.”
Parks played his first game in the bubble after missing Sunday’s match no thanks to a calf strain, which he sustained during practice. The 2018 2nd overall pick logged in a total of 38 minutes and 18 seconds.
“We’re just glad we had two days off. I think isang araw na rest, naka-recover naman siya. He played long minutes also,” said Ravena. “Some of the guys played long minutes. Hopefully maka-recover lang sila.”
Parks scored 12 of his points in the second quarter alone, where the Tropang Giga pulled away by unloading 11 straight points to turn a slim four-point lead to a 44-29 advantage approaching the four-minute mark.
The crew continued the onslaught and a three-pointer by Troy Rosario with 2:36 remaining in the same period inflated their lead to 20, 51-31, as they never trailed in the game.
Rosario produced a double-double of 20 points and 15 rebounds with five assists, as Jayson Castro provided 15 points off the bench.
Poy Erram made up for a disappointing debut he had last Sunday where he got ejected as he contributed 14 points on 5-of-9 shooting. Pogoy had cooled off coming off that career night as he only had 11 points on 15 shots.
“We’re just happy we started well, started strong and finished the game. We’re also happy that Poy played a controlled game and with the presence of Rayray, we played really well,” said Ravena.
CJ Perez led the Dyip with 30 points and six rebounds. Glenn Khobuntin made 16 points while JP Calvo and Rashawn McCarthy each had 14 in the loss.
Both teams will return to action on Friday, Oct. 16, with TNT playing rivals San Miguel in a clash between two favorites at 6:45 p.m. while TerraFirma will take on Rain or Shine at the 4 p.m. curtain-raiser.
The Scores
TNT (112) — Parks 40, Rosario 20, Castro 15, Erram 14, Pogoy 11, Reyes 4, Enciso 3, De Leon 2, Carey 0, Semerad 0, Montalbo 0.
Terra Firma (101) — Perez 30, Khobuntin 16, Calvo 14, McCarthy 14, Ramos 9, Adams 7, Camson 5, Celda 3, Faundo 2, Gabayni 1, Cahilig 0, Batiller 0, Balagasay 0.
Quarterscores: 27-19, 56-43, 90-75, 112-101
