Ray Parks dusts off no. 22 in honor of his late father

Bobby Parks wore no. 22, and now his son followed suit. Photo from PBA website.

MANILA, Philippines—All eyes were on Bobby Ray Parks on Thursday as National University opened the Filoil Flying V Premier Hanes Cup — but he drew strength from the ones looking at him from above.

For every crucial shot he made — including four in OT en route to National University’s 73-71 win over San Beda– he pointed up to the sky, which has been Parks’ practice since UAAP season 75.

But this time, that gesture was dedicated to his late father, Bobby, a PBA great who passed away recently due to complications from throat cancer.

“I’ve been doing that since season 75 for Maan Panganiban,” said Parks, referring to his then girlfriend who also passed away due to cancer in January of 2012.

“This season is really for my dad, I know he’s looking up from up there.”

His father — a seven time best import in the PBA — was no doubt a big influence in Parks’ life and career, and another way of honoring him was donning his jersey number.

Bobby wore no. 22 in all his best years in the PBA — mostly with the now-defunct Shell.

But while Parks is unsure whether he’ll use it for long, that greatness was channeled on Thursday, during crunch time.

“22 is a legacy my dad left, I’m just taking out of retirement,” said Parks, though he remains unsure whether he’ll use it in the UAAP.

Parks scored 23 points and uncorked the game-tying triple which forged overtime. He added eight rebounds, four assists and two steals.

“It was a broken play, my teammates just found me. It felt good, but I was hoping it would go in,” said Parks of that play with 2.5 seconds left.

“Before that, I actually made a crucial TO. But the coaches were telling me to ‘keep your head up’ and I just followed through in the next play.”

It has only been a few weeks since his father’s passing, but Parks was never without family during times of struggle.

“My family from abroad, the coaching staff, my teammates–they have been lifting my spirits. It’s hard to cope up, it’s really emotional. I really appreciate my teammates stepping up,” Parks said.