Ray Parks. Photo from ASEAN Basketball League
STA. ROSA — Bobby Ray Parks Jr. once again stamped his class in the regional league and was honored as the 2018 ASEAN Basketball League Local MVP for the second straight season.
The second-generation star netted 15.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 3.5 assists as he steered the San Miguel Alab Pilipinas reach the Finals in its second year in the league.
Parks became only the second player to win the Local MVP award in back-to-back seasons after Singapore Slingers guard Wong Wei Long achieved the feat in the 2014 and 2015-16 seasons.
He is also the third Filipino to win the hardware after Leo Avenido (2012) and Asi Taulava (2013), both of whom played for the San Miguel Beermen.
Parks bested Hong Kong Eastern’s Lee Ki, who averaged 11.0 points, and 4.4 assists, and Singapore’s Delvin Goh, who netted 8.3 points and 4.9 boards.
The 25-year-old wasn’t the lone San Miguel Alab Pilipinas player to take home a trophy.
Renaldo Balkman was also honored as the co-Defensive Player of the Year, sharing the award with Singapore’s Chris Charles.
The Puerto Rican forward collected 10.9 boards, 2.2 steals, and 1.9 blocks as he served as the rock for the Philippine side in their path to the championship. It will be the first time the league has ever given the award to two individuals.
Fil-Am Mikh McKinney of Chong Son Kung Fu bagged the Heritage Import MVP award after nabbing 22.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, 5.8 assists, and 2.2 steals.
He bested Hong Kong Eastern’s Fil-German forward Christian Standhardinger and Mono Vampire’s Fil-Am guard Jason Brickman.
Chong Son’s Anthony Tucker also claimed the World Import MVP after posting 22.7 points, 8.3 boards, 7.8 assists, and 1.6 steals.
Balkman and Hong Kong’s Marcus Elliott were also in the running for the award.
Chong Son Kung Fu coach Charles Dube-Brais was named as this season’s Coach of the Year after steering the Chinese team to the best record in the league at 15-5, including an immaculate 10-0 slate at home.
Among the candidates were Jimmy Alapag of San Miguel Alab Pilipinas, Douglas Marty of Mono Vampire, and Edu Torres of Hong Kong Eastern.