Ray Parks, Jr. thought at first that the sprained right ankle he incurred versus Chinese Taipei’s Team A in the 2017 William Jones Cup in Taipei, Taiwan last month was just another ordinary injury. But, he was wrong.
The 24-year-old soon found out that he already has bone spurs in the same foot.
“Actually nalaman ko lang nung natapilok ako sa Jones Cup. Pagbalik ko rito, nagpa-ultrasound na agad ako,” revealed the National University product to Tiebreaker Times, after Gilas’ tuneup Tuesday morning at the Meralco Gym.
The foot injury is obviously giving the six-foot-four combo guard a hard time, especially when he is on the court. Whenever he moves, he can be seen helping his right leg, trying his best not to put too much weight on it.
“Actually nawalan na ‘ko ng muscle definition sa right leg ko eh,” admitted the two-time UAAP Most Valuable Player.
It may be another challenge to the second-generation star, but he is not letting it get in the way of his service to Gilas Pilipinas, especially now that he and the team will represent the country in the 2017 SEA Games in Malaysia.
“SEA Games lalaro ako,” declared the two-time SEA Games gold medalist.
“Para sa bayan talaga eh. You have to gut it out. No choice kasi kulang sa players. Whenever your country calls talaga, kailangan sasagutin mo yung calling.”
And with regards to the treatment of his bone spurs, the proud son of Parañaque City shared that he will be on the road to recovery right after the biennial meet.
“After SEA Games, I need a hand on this talaga. Humingi na ‘ko ng off — off from basketball to try to get this fixed. First time ko dealing with bone spurs eh,” said Parks, Jr.
