After his departure from ALAB Pilipinas in the ASEAN Basketball League (ABL), 2019 Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Rookie Draft second draft pick Bobby Ray Parks, Jr., also known as Ray Ray, is ready to take up his offer from Blackwater Elite, signing a one-year contract with the team worth P2 million last Tuesday, April 9. His one-year run may be renewed at the end of the 2019 PBA Philippine Cup season.
The 26-year-old athlete’s agent Charlie Dy and Blackwater governor Siliman Sy were both present during the signing; the Hall of Famer’s son announced the news via Twitter.
Although they were already eliminated from the Philippine Cup, Blackwater is setting their eyes on the Commissioner’s Cup championship, which starts in May. To prepare for that, Parks is reported to start practice with the Elite next Thursday, April 11.
Parks had an emotional exit from Alab, after the Philippine national team got dethroned as Team Hong Kong Eastern swept the quarterfinals. Being a two-time local Most Valuable Player (MVP) and one-time champion, Parks posts, “It’s been great and learned a lot. Thanks to who supported and allowed me the privilege of being in the league. On to the next chapter.” During his three years playing in the ABL, the guard averaged 16.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game throughout more than 75 games.
Prior to the half-American athlete signing to the Elite, rumors still circulated of a possible trade to other teams, especially after sighting Parks at the Phoenix-Alaska playoff game at the Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena last Sunday, April 7 alongside Fuel Masters star Calvin Abueva. Blackwater team owner Dioceldo Sy quickly shut down any trade talks saying, “We’ll play him as promised. I’ve told Commissioner no trade. We need Ray-Ray. We’re looking to strengthen our point guard position and Ray-Ray may even play No. 1 occasionally. Imagine our advantage in matchups if he’s our point guard.”