WHO would not want to have Bobby Ray Parks Jr.?
Although admitting the disgruntled TNT star is on the radar of the Manila Chooks TM 3×3 squad, Chooks-to-Go president Ronald Mascariñas said his camp will not reach out to Parks until he gets clearance from the Tropang Giga and the PBA.
“Ibinilin ko iyan kay Melmac (Mel Macasaquit, Chooks-to-Go sports director) na medyo may problema pa with his mother team sa PBA,” Mascariñas said.
“Ang sabi ko do not get involved unless malinis iyan,” he added.
The 6-foot-4 Parks is in limbo after he opted not to sign a new contract with TNT last March, citing “personal reasons” on why he is skipping the PBA’s 46th season.
No less than former PLDT president and CEO Manny V. Pangilinan questioned Parks’ decision to take a sabbatical after Parks was seen on social media surfing in La Union with 30th Southeast Asian Games gold medalist Roger Casugay.
The son of the late legendary PBA import Bobby Parks Sr. is reportedly still in the country.
Parks, 28, led the Tropang Giga in last year’s Philippine Cup bubble in Clark with 22.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 1.5 steals in 17 games.
TNT wound up with a 7-4 card after the elimination round and hurdled Alaska and Phoenix Super LPG in the quarterfinals and semifinals, respectively to reach the Big Dance.
With Parks nursing a strained calf injury, the Tropang Giga lost to Ginebra in five games in the finals.
Manila Chooks TM coach Aldin Ayo said the former two-time UAAP MVP and National University standout will be a big addition to the Manila Chooks TM but the prospects of Parks playing 3×3 is uncertain, for now.
“Magfi-fit siya sa atin pero magde-depende sa management natin, magde-depende kina boss Ronald at boss Melmac,” Ayo said.
“Lahat naman, iyong buong support ibinibigay naman sa amin nila boss Ronald and boss Melmac.”
Mascariñas maintained they are eyeing players who will commit long term.
“Noong nasabi naman ni coach Ayo kanina na we’re looking for players who will commit with us for four years dahil nga pinaghahandaan natin, we’re developing players hopefully will play in the Olympics. Kapag nag-qualify tayo
