Blackwater targets Parks with No.2 overall pick

Blackwater Elite owner Dioceldo Sy said Alab Pilipinas star Bobby Ray Parks will be their pick at No. 2 overall in the 2018 PBA Rookie Draft if the former two-time UAAP MVP decides to turn pro.

Bobby Ray Parks is the son of the late seven-time PBA Best Import Bobby Parks.

Parks moved to the top of Blackwater's list once Columbian coach John Cardel made it clear they want Lyceum star CJ Perez at No. 1 overall.

Blackwater saw its championship hopes dashed after bowing to Magnolia in their 2018 PBA Governors' Cup quarterfinal clash last Tuesday.

The loss put an end to the young franchise's impressive showing that saw the Elite get off to a strong 4-0 start, while competing for a twice-to-beat advantage in the playoffs.

Sy believes the 25-year-old Parks can be an important piece for the franchise. Parks has been the Asean Basketball League local MVP the past two seasons.

"We can build the team around Poy [Erram], [Mac] Belo, [Allein] Maliksi and [Mike] DiGregorio. So we'll get depth," he said.

Parks averaged 16.7 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.5 assists, while shooting 36 percent from 3-point range for the San Miguel-backed Alab Pilipinas in the 2018 season.

Should the former National University Bulldog standout join the 2018 PBA Rookie Draft, he won't see action in the pro league immediately as he's expected to help the San Miguelbacked Alab side defend its title first in the ABL for the 2019 season. —