All eyes on Ray Parks as TNT battles Ginebra
Bobby Ray Parks ups the ante of the TNT-Barangay Ginebra match, with the marquee rookie debuting as a KaTropa versus the Gin Kings in a much-anticipated tiff in the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Friday night.
It’s a special match made more special by the entry of Parks in the KaTropa team that takes its first crack at an outright Top Four finish in the elims and a twice-to-beat bonus in the quarterfinals versus Ginebra.
The Kings, meanwhile, set out for the 7 p.m. setto raring to bounce back from a 24-point demolition by the Meralco Bolts and stay in a good position in the Top Four race.
TNT currently shares top spot with NLEX after suffering a first loss in eight outings at the very hands of the Road Warriors on Oct. 25.
The Kings, on the other hand, dropped to 5-3, half-game behind the fourth-running San Miguel Beermen after their shattering loss to the Bolts. They will be back in good condition if they can beat the KaTropa.
TNT, however, is high spirits with its acquisition of Parks from a trade deal that had the KaTropa releasing Don Trollano and Tony Semerad to Blackwater.
Parks can well fill in some holes on the sidelining of Jayson Castro due to an injury.
“Ray is a legit two-way player. He is better defensively than he is offensively. Offensively, we can play through him on balls and in the post. He is a willing passer and is not selfish,” said TNT coach Bong Ravena.
The TNT mentor also called their deal an “investment” for the future.
“We made this move for the future. Adding another playmaker who can also defend at a high level around our franchise player Jayson Castro will make us so much tougher,” Ravena said.
Of course, the TNT-Ginebra is much, much more than just about Parks.
It features explosive matchups including that of elite imports Justin Brownlee and KJ McDaniels.
Going to the match, Brownlee averages 28.2 points, 14.1 rebounds and 9.0 assists while McDaniels norms 37.3 markers, 12.2 boards and 5.5 dish-offs. —