Parks debuts with OT win

Ray Parks Jr. emerged victorious in his first PBA game as Blackwater edged Meralco, 94-91, in overtime to open the Commissioner’s Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena. Parks finished with 20 points, eight rebounds and three steals but gave the Bolts an opportunity to force a second overtime when he made just one of two free throws with 9.1 seconds left in the extension.

But Bolts import Gani Lawal missed a three-pointer from the elbow as time expired, also giving the Elite’s Aries Dimaunahan his first win as a head coach.

“I’m happy the players stuck together and executed even though we were down by a big margin,” said Dimaunahan, whose team overcame an 11-point deficit in the third.

Blackwater import Alex Stepheson had 21 points and 31 rebounds against his former team while Mac Belo’s basket with 32.4 seconds left in overtime put the

Elite in front 93-91.

Mike DiGregorio added 21 points spiked by five three-pointers for the Elite.

Lawal produced 34 points and 21 rebounds but Meralco fell short despite taking a 50-39 lead early in the third.

Meralco had a chance to win the game in regulation but rookie guard Trevis Jackson missed a jumper at the buzzer.

Parks shot 6-of-19 from the field and turned the ball over eight times but eventually got his rhythm to play a key role in the Elite’s win.

Parks recognizes though that the Elite remain a work in progress as they aim to bounce back from a 2-9 record in the Philippine Cup.

“A win is a win but I know we still have a lot to work on,” said Parks.