Bobby Ray Parks Jr. is in Japan right now to embark on a new journey, but that doesn’t mean he has completely left the Philippines behind.
After all, this is where his heart belongs. And should it come calling to him for his services, the 28-year-old guard from Parañaque won’t hesitate to fly back and suit up, so long that the circumstances permit.
“As long as my team permits, when the window is open, I would love to represent my country,” he told Radyo5’s Power and Play, Saturday.
“I know I’m Filipino. I know I’m true to my culture. I’m true to my country.”
Parks has been part of many national teams in the past ever since his younger years. And he’s definitely successful in many of his stints, having won a SEABA title in 2015 and three Southeast Asian Games gold medals.
But it has been a while since the last time he wore the national tri-colors. That was in the 2017 SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia as part of a young all-PBA unit coached by Jong Uichico that swept its way to the crown.
The current Gilas program under head coach Tab Baldwin is filled with youth, with the aim of honing them to be the best possible team it can be for the 2023 FIBA World Cup to be held in the Philippines, Indonesia, and Japan.
Parks has nothing but praises to the American-Kiwi bench tactician – the same mentor he played for in the 2016 Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Manila – and what he’s been doing thus far with the new-age Nationals.
“I love what Coach Tab is doing with the guys,” he said. “I mean, it’s the next generation, the young generation.
“And you’re honing them and building them up in a sense of preparing for great things which are 2023, and 2024.”
There’s no doubt that the second generation would want to be part of it should there be a chance. And for Parks, keeping his doors open for Gilas is a way of showing that he won’t ever turn his back to where he came from.
“Definitely not burning any bridges,” he said. “And you know, one thing is, the Philippines has a lot of great talent. PBA is a prestigious league.
“And, you know, TNT had their fair share also of their victories – like I said when I was young I used to ride the bus to watch Coach Jimmy [Alapag] and all the guys play, so they have a great culture going around them, too.”
For now, though, his focus is on the B.League, where he will be playing for the Nagoya Diamond Dolphins in the upcoming 2021-22 season.
“Right now, it’s time for me to represent our country abroad and that’s what I need to focus on because I know it’s a big task at hand.”
