Parks ready to serve PH as Reyes welcomes him in Gilas pool
GIlas Pilipinas pool member Ray Parks. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Bobby Ray Parks is back in the Gilas Pilipinas pool.
National team coach Chot Reyes said the former two-time UAAP MVP and reigning ABL Local MVP reached out to him last Monday so he extended an invitation to attend practices for the upcoming international tournaments.
“Ray-Ray is now going to be added to the pool,” the outspoken mentor said Tuesday at the resumption of the practice sessions at Meralco Gym.
READ: Parks shows up to Gilas practice
“He said he wanted to come in and he wanted to be part of the pool. I said he’s welcome,” he said.
With Parks now joining the training, Reyes said that he’ll be in consideration for the upcoming 2017 Southeast Asian Games and 2017 Fiba Asia Cup, but not for the Jones Cup slated on July as the deadline for the submission of lineup has already elapsed.
“Unless we’re able to make any representations and the organizers allow it, I don’t think he can make it anymore for the Jones Cup lineup, but certainly for the other tournaments, he can still make it. But he has to earn the spot just like everyone else,” he said.
READ: ‘No chance’ for Ravena, Parks to make Gilas team in SEABA
Parks, who was snubbed in the initial list tweeted by Reyes earlier this month, is one of the 15 players who appeared in the Tuesday session, joining Kevin Alas, Baser Amer, and Raymar Jose as the new faces in the national team pool.
The 24-year-old swingman is just ecstatic to don the national team colors once again, one year removed from his stint with the Gilas Pilipinas team which saw action in the 2017 Fiba Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
“Being here at the gym, a lot has changed. I just walked into the lobby and I felt like everything has changed already. Just being in the national pool, there’s a lot of talent and I’m blessed just to be here right now,” he said.
READ: Parks ‘humbled, privileged’ to be part of Gilas pool
Parks is leaving everything up to Reyes regarding his future with Gilas Pilipinas, saying that regardless what competition he participates in, he’ll be happy to hoist the Philippine flag high and proud anew.
“To be honest, whenever my country needs me to, I’ll definitely serve. I’d love to represent the country with the best talent and with experienced players,” he said. “At the end of the day, it’s all about the Philippines as a nation and representing the country, especially with what the country’s going through right now.”
