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For Michael Angelo S. Murillo, Senior reporter
What was expected to be a busy offseason for TNT Tropang GIGA went the extra mile as the team was forced to make additional adjustments heading into the new Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) season.
Finishing runner-up in the only PBA tournament last year, TNT was looking to shore up its momentum by bringing back Chot Reyes as coach and previously retired Kelly Williams for another tour of duty with the team.
The GIGA Tropang also signed free agents to assist them in their offering in the new PBA season, which is scheduled to begin next month.
But while things were apparently going well in preparation, TNT received surprising news after key cog Ray Parks, Jr. announced that he will be skipping the entire PBA season this year for “personal reasons.”
Mr. Parks, 28, in a statement over the weekend said: “It is with great regret that I will have to apologize and not participate in this year’s PBA season due to personal reasons, in particular my family. . It was not an easy decision to make, especially since I have been in constant conversations with TNT management, but right now, this is the best for me and my family. “
Adding: “I will always be grateful for the opportunity to represent TNT and be part of such a special team and culture. Hopefully one day, once everything is settled, I can go back to the team and help bring a championship to TNT. “
Parks, son of the great PBA importer Bobby and former Most Valuable Player of the Philippine University Athletic Association, joined TNT midway through the 2019 season from Blackwater and immediately made his presence felt.
In last year’s Philippine Cup “bubble”, he averaged 22.5 points, 3.1 assists, 3.1 assists and 1.3 steals while helping the team reach the final against eventual champion Barangay Geneva San Miguel Kings.
Unfortunately, he was only able to play one game in the best-of-seven championship series after injuring his calf in the first game.
TNT had been negotiating a new contract with Mr. Parks since the beginning of the year, hoping that upon his return the team would go deeper with the additions it had. Until he said he would not be in the next season.
Tropang GIGA said that losing Mr. Parks was a huge blow on their part considering the versatility the player brings to the team.
But they are determined to go ahead and work with the pieces they have as they wish Mr. Parks the best and solving their personal problems as soon as possible.
Interestingly, not everyone at the TNT camp is convinced of the reason why Mr. Parks was left out.
None other than the president of PLDT and owner of Tropang GIGA, Manny V. Pangilinan, is questioning Mr. Parks and his decision.
In a cryptic social media post, the business mogul wrote: “This photo taken on Thursday of last week around 9pm. February 25, in San Juan, La Unión. I don’t see any mothers being cared for and, as far as I know, La Unión is nowhere near California. Judge for yourself. #PBA #onesports ”.
The post shows Mr. Parks at La Unión posing for a photo with a fan.
Without Mr. Parks, TNT will feature flags like veteran Jayson Castro, Roger Pogoy, Troy Rosario, JP Erram, Simon Enciso, Mr. Williams and Ryan Reyes, as well as recently signed free agents Dave Marcelo, Glenn Khobuntin and Ping. Exciminian.
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