PBA COMMISH: Parks’ case settled soon

PBA commissioner Willie Marcial hopes to resolve the issue of Blackwater and rookie Bobby Ray Parks Jr. within the week as the Elite seek clarification on whether the prized neophyte can see action when the 44th PBA season starts with the Philippine Cup on Sunday at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.

Marcial is set to meet with Parks’ agent, Charlie Dy, who is also the coowner of San Miguel Beer Alab Pilipinas, Parks’ team in the ASEAN Basketball League (ABL).

“I’ll talk to Charlie Dy for some clarification, maybe we can do something,” said Marcial, who declined to provide more details on the matter.

Blackwater selected Parks with the second overall pick in last year’s draft, but found its hands tied when informed Parks is under contract with Alab and intends to complete his deal first before playing in the PBA.

Dy pointed to the situation of San Miguel Beer forward Christian Standhardinger, who finished his contract in Hong Kong – lso a team from the ABL – before joining the Beermen in the Commissioner’s Cup.

Blackwater governor Siliman Sy, however, said the other day that the PBA Board has approved the case of Standhardinger when he applied for the draft, with the governors apparently giving the green light for the Fil-German to finish his ABL commitment first.

“My thoughts on this is Christian has a commitment, and the board approved him to (continue his) play for Hong Kong. Is this the same situation with Ray? It is something that Commissioner Willie will have to decide,” said Sy.