Ray Parks, Blackwater survive Ginebra in OT for 2-0 start
MANILA, Philippines–Ray Parks made it clear from the get-go he’s merely a humble addition to an offensively loaded roster.
The second overall pick showed otherwise, scoring 10 of Blackwater’s final 14 points as the Elite stunned defending champion Barangay Ginebra in overtime, 108-107, and notched their second straight victory in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Friday night at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“I can’t explain it. But I always thought that our team is built for this,” said coach Aris Dimaunahan, who once played for Ginebra.
“Those tuneup games that we had readied us for games like this. [Our last] game was a hell of a game. This one was a hell of a game, too.”
Parks and import Alex Stepheson each scored 28 points to lead the Elite while Mac Belo tossed in 20 more.
“For a rookie to have that mentality says so much about how much of a winner he is,” Dimaunahan said of Parks, who was also one of the heroes in the team’s conference-opening win over Meralco last weekend.
“I just have so much trust for my guys—not only on Rayray. Anybody of the guys could erupt … I’m so grateful of my players for playing such way. I couldn’t ask for more. They did not fold.”
Gin Kings reinforcement Justin Brownlee figured in a duel with his Alab teammate in Parks, scoring seven points in the extra period.
Though with the ball in his hands in the dying moments of the game, the beloved Ginebra import decided to kick it out to Scottie Thomspon, whose triple was way off.
Brownlee finished with 44 points, 10 boards and seven assists. Greg Slaughter added 24 more but he was the lone local to produce in twin digits.
Blackwater takes on the 0-2 Columbian squad next, while Ginebra looks to recover from narrow loss when it goes up against 1-1 Meralco. Both contests are on Sunday at the Big Dome.
