RAY Parks' focus is entirely on the Asean Basketball League (ABL) as San Miguel Alab Pilipinas looks to retain their title from last year.
That doesn't mean he's not excited for the PBA.
The son of seven-time PBA best import Bobby Parks said he can't help but be excited about his future in the pro ranks as he's expected to be one of the top picks in this class.
"The draft is next week. To be honest, I don’t know what’s gonna happen. I’m excited. I’m blessed to be part of this draft," said Parks. "Just to make it to the PBA. Like I said, the PBA is a great, prestigious league. I’ll be excited to contribute wherever I go."
There's one problem though. The PBA draft coincides with Alab Pilipinas' game against the CLS Knights next Sunday.
While being a part of that spectacle is always an honor for Parks, the reigning ABL local MVP said that the decision will ultimately fall on his manager and Alab owner Charlie Dy and head coach Jimmy Alapag.
"Pangalan ko nasa draft, for sure. Let’s see how that goes. I know we do have a game next week. It’s my coach’s and my team agent slash team owner’s decision where I’ll be next Sunday," Parks said.
Based on their first meeting with the Knights, Alab looks like it can afford to lose the versatile guard for one game. Alab absolutely ran through Indonesia 94-67 in their season opener and Parks hardly broke a sweat.
Parks finished with 10 points in the win that saw new faces PJ Ramos, Caelan Tiongson, Ethan Alvano and Brandon Rosser all make significant contributions.
"The talent is off the charts. This team, you go from first man to 12th man, the pieces of the puzzle are just ridiculous. They bring so much talent to the table," said Parks of the rejigged Alab lineup.
"We sacrificed a bit on experience, but each and every game, we’re learning. This is really an unselfish team, it doesn’t matter who scores. At the end of the day, what matters is winning a championship," he added.
Whatever happens on Sunday, Parks is hoping to pull off the 'Christian Standhardinger route' when last year's top pick finished his commitment with Hong Kong before making the jump to the PBA in the Commissioner's Cup.
" I’m definitely committed to Alab – hopefully, until May. I wanna continue to just grow here. There is great professionalism in this team. They make the hard work easier. Coming in each and every day, they’re still hungry."
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
