Filipino fans won’t see Rayray Parks anymore in the PBA, at least in this 46th season.
The versatile playmaker, son of many-time PBA best import Bobby Parks, has finally been allowed by his mother team Talk ‘N Text to pursue his plan to play in a Japan league.
The announcement came from no less than TNT governor and PBA chairman Ricky Vargas on Friday, more or less two weeks after the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas received a letter from the Japan league that’s asking if Parks would be available to play in Japan.
Vargas said the SBP readily informed the PBA of the letter, saying the TNT management has no objection whatsoever to Parks’ plan to play in Japan.
Vargas though made it clear that Parks can only play in Japan and not in any other league outside Japan.
"As far as (TNT) is concerned, we have told the PBA that we will give clearance to play in the Japanese league and not in an Italian league, not in Myanmar league, not in Thailand league. That's what he asked permission for," Vargas told online media.
Actually, it was the Japan league which wrote the letter to the SBP and not Parks.
Parks, according to Vargas, merely informed the PBA, and that it was the PBA which informed him (Vargas).
"So I answered (the PBA) and said that we can clear Ray Parks to play in the Japanese league as requested, under the PBA rules," stressed Vargas.
Also set to bring his act to Japan is Kiefer Ravena, who is reportedly close to striking a compromise with his mother team NLEX and the PBA.
If and when he finally gets to iron out minor kinks in his decision to leave the PBA indefinitely, Ravena would be playing for the Shiga Lakestar in the Japan B. League.
However, there’s the big possibility that the 27-year old NLEX playmaker would get some sanction, something that Ravena is said to be willing to accept, plus an apology.
NLEX coach Yeng Guiao did confirm the Ravena camp is taking a diplomatic approach to the issue and to the league, especially after the PBA board initially denied the plan of the former UAAP MVP to play in Japan for breach of contract.
Ravena inked a three-year deal with the Road Warriors last September, but the Lakestars also announced last June about officially signing the 6-foot guard.
“Hindi ko alam ano ‘yung future ng issue na 'yan, but I think he’s already talking to people, he’s already trying to make amends. So I’m not sure what is exactly going on,” said Guiao.
If things don’t miscarry, Parks and Ravena would be the latest to join the growing list of Filipino cagers, who are skipping the PBA in favor of stints in Japan.
Thirdy Ravena, who was the first Filipino to play as import in the league, is set for his second tour of duty with the San-en NeoPhoenix.
Brothers Juan and Javi Gomez de Liaño had also announced they are playing in Japan under the Asian Player Quota rule.
Juan is set to action with on for Earthfriends Tokyo Z in the Japan B. League Division 2 while Javi will suit up for Ibaraki Robots. Recently, NCAA product Kemark Carino was also tapped to reinforce the Aomori Wat's in the Division 2.
Meanwhile, Meanwhile, Barangay Ginebra expectedly bounced back from a big loss to NLEX on Friday with a 96-81 spanking of Blackwater in a game where six Gin Kings scored 11 points or more.
Stanley Pringle led the Gin Kings' assault with 19 points as Ginebra evened up its slate to 1-1 in the tournament it won in the bubble last year in Angeles City.
The scores:
Ginebra (96) — Pringle 19, Tenorio 17, Caperal 16, Japeth Aguilar 14, Thompson 11, Standhardinger 11, Chan 5, Dillinger 2, Devance 1.
Blackwater (81) — Mike Tolomia 22, Enciso 16, Nabong 10, Magat 8, Dauioag 6, Desiderio 6, Amer 5, Andre Paras 4, D Semerad 2, Canaleta 2, Dennison 0.
Quartrscores: 21-13, 45-32, 69-67, 96-81
