‘Forgotten’ Parks puts rest of PBA on notice with career game

TNT Giga’s Ray Parks. PBA IMAGAES

MANILA, Philippines — Ray Parks delivered a stern reminder to the rest of the league in his first game for TNT in the 2020 Philippine Cup on Tuesday.

Parks missed the Tropang Giga’s debut in the bubble on Sunday due to a calf strain, but the 6-foot-4 guard more than made up for his absence with a career performance against TerraFirma.

“I just want to show the hard work that I put in and the team has put in,” Parks said. “To be honest, I’m tired of being forgotten.”

“I just feel like I’ve been slept on,” he added.

Making a statement, Parks erupted for 40 points on 13-of-18 shooting from the field to lead TNT to a 112-101 blowout win.

The 27-year-old Parks also had 11 rebounds and five assists as he outdueled fellow sophomore star CJ Perez, who finished with 30 points, six rebounds and three steals.

“I’m just glad my teammates trust me enough to put the ball in my hands and just lead. We’re just encouraging one another,” he said. “We’re happy for one another and everything is genuine.”

Parks was the second overall pick in last year’s draft with Perez taken ahead of him.

The two-time UAAP MVP was drafted by Blackwater, which then traded him to TNT midway through the season.

Parks, who won an ABL title with Alab Pilipinas, and TNT swingman Roger Pogoy also became the first local teammates to take turns in scoring at least 40 points in a game in 30 years.

Pogoy hit a career-best 45 points in a win over Alaska last Sunday.