Parks basks in glory of ABL success, growth under coach Alapag

Ray Parks. Photo from ASEAN Basketball League

STA. ROSA — In case anyone has forgotten, Bobby Ray Parks Jr. is still an alpha.

And for everyone who begs to disagree, he only has one thing to say: “Was I gone?”

Once again re-affirming his place as one of the best young talents out of the PBA today, Parks delivered a season to remember this past 2018 ASEAN Basketball League, winning his second ABL Local MVP award, a Finals MVP plum, and a championship for San Miguel Alab Pilipinas.

READ: Alab Pilipinas captures ABL championship with Game 5 win

Make no mistake, he has heard every criticism hurled his way, but after an unforgettable season in the regional league, he could proudly boast his accomplishments and look at his doubters straight in the eyes.

“Y’all been grilling me about not winning championships. Hey, we here now. Write about this, tweet is, post it, put a billboard up, do whatever you gotta do. Got the net, got the trophy, MVP, we got what we came for,” he said.

There’s no question about Parks’ pedigree. After all, everyone expected him to excel and make waves wherever he took his talent.

But aside from his averages of 15.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 3.5 assists this year, there’s something more about Parks that hasn’t been written as much — his growth as a basketball player, something he truly capitalized in this run under coach Jimmy Alapag.

“Give me an opportunity and I’ll make the most of it. And just being around these great players, it allowed me to grow. I learned from them and I was put in an opportunity to make the most of it,” he said. “Just getting better as a player is everybody’s goal and to win a championship — to do both is great.”

That begs the question: is the PBA next on Parks’ radar?

He’d rather take it one battle at a time.

“Right now, I just wanna enjoy this championship with my teammates. I can’t say I’m back because I never left. I got no love for the past couple of months, so let’s talk about this for the next couple of months. Come show me some love, keep talking about this, and come draft time, we’ll see,” he said as he exited the venue while saying three words which is sure to titillate some of the league’s most rabid crowds.

“Never say die!”