Ray Parks. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Blackwater coach Aris Dimaunahan said the Elite have no plans of trading Ray Parks despite reports that came out four months ago that the versatile guard is part of a three-team deal.
Parks, who was selected second overall by the Elite in the 2018 PBA Rookie Draft, signed a one year deal Tuesday but has yet to join the team in practice.
Dimaunahan, however, assured that Parks will be making his PBA debut for Blackwater starting the Commissioner’s Cup next month.
READ: Ray Parks signs with Blackwater Elite
“As far as I know he will play for us,” Dimaunahan said Monday after wrapping up his first practice as head coach. “That’s what I’ve been told by my superiors.”
“Boss Dioseldo said it loud and clear that we’re not trading Ray Ray Parks and we want this team to be more competitive in the coming conference so I don’t think we’re going to trade him,” he added, referring to Blackwater team owner Dioseldo Sy.
The Elite finished dead last in the standings in the Philippine Cup, winning only two of the possible 11 and Parks would be very much welcome addition to the team.’
READ: Blackwater draft pick Ray Parks still pondering future
The 41-year-old Dimaunahan has nothing but high praise for Parks, whom the first-time coach doesn’t regard as a rookie even though technically he still is due to his vast playing experience.
Dimaunahan, a former PBA veteran who was drafted by Ginebra in 2002, also thinks Parks’ winning pedigree would be of great help to the Elite, who are hoping for a fresh start after years of languishing at the bottom.
“The winner that he is. We’re expecting him to bring it here to our team, That’s what we’re in need of plus his athleticism and his leadership. We expect that from him because we’re a young team and need every support that we could get,” Dimaunahan said.
“He’ll be a huge part of the team. Basically, he’s a rookie on paper but with his experience he’s not a rookie anymore.”