The mission is not over yet – Manila Bulletin

SMART CLARK GIGA CITY – Ray Parks Jr. showed how much he wanted to make his first appearance in a PBA final.

Parks was on fire again as he dropped 26 points, 15 of which came in the fourth quarter, to drag TNT past Phoenix Super LPG, 91-81, in the Philippine Cup semi-final game of life or death on Friday night at the AUF Arena. .

With the Fuel Masters looming within 56-64 early in the final frame, the second-generation player hit two layups that sandwiched Poy Erram’s basket to restore a 14-point gap for Tropang Giga, 70-56.

The 27-year-old two-way point guard continued his scoring feats to keep Calvin Abueva-led Phoenix at bay.

He also had 10 rebounds, six assists and one steal in 45 minutes of action, just one day between his 36-point explosion in 46 minutes of play that helped carry the series into a rubber match.

For Parks, it’s the sacrifice they’re making here in the well-contained bubble that motivates her.

“We are here now. We sacrifice too much. We sacrifice not seeing our families. This is really dedicated to them and we played the best we could. It is not easy to be away from them, it is not easy to be in a bubble, “he said.

Parks secured his first shot at a PBA championship, something he couldn’t get in his rookie season with Blackwater last year.

“We simply have to be proud of the moment, seize the moment. It’s who you play for and that’s my family (team) right here, ”he said.

But the task is not yet done for the former two-time UAAP MVP, who intends to clinch his first professional championship and help TNT break a five-year title drought.

“We just wanted to get to the final and the job is not done yet.”