PBA Philippine Cup runner-up Talk N Text will be missing a major weapon in the coming 46th season of Asia’s first play-for-pay league.
That’s because Bobby Ray Parks, one of the Tropang Giga’s main gunners, has decided to skip the coming season set to begin on April 9.
Parks, who made the announcement on social media himself, cited personal reasons for his decision.
“It is with a heavy heart that I will have to excuse myself and not partake in this year’s PBA season due to personal reasons, in particular my family,” the 28-year-old Parks posted on social media.
“It was not an easy decision to make, especially since I’ve been in consistent talks with TNT management, but right now, this is what’s best for me and my family,” added Parks, son of the late PBA Best Import awardee Bobby Parks.
Parks, however, assured Talk N Text management and fans that he will return to the team once his family resolves its issues.
“I will always be grateful for the opportunity to represent TNT and be part of such a special team and culture. Once everything is resolved, I can come back to the team and help bring a championship to TNT,” explained Parks.
A former MVP in the ABL while playing for San Miguel-Alab Pilipinas, Parks was drafted by Blackwater Elite in 2019.
The 6-4 Fil-Am guard averaged 18.8 points and 6.8 rebounds in 32 games with the Elite.
Last year, he played for Talk N Text during the PBA Philippine Cup bubble where he led the Tropang Giga with averages of 22.4 points, 7.8 rebounds and 3.1 assits in 17 games for the Tropang Giga. He was even considered for the coveted “Best Player of the Conference” award for his role in Talk N Text’s runner-up finish to Barangay Ginebra.
Parks, however, missed the last four games of the Philippine Cup Finals due to a calf injury and his team lost the battle in five games.
He also lost the BPC award to Stanley Pringle of Ginebra.
Last year, Parks also signed a one-year contract extension with the MVP Group franchise.
Parks’ absence is expected to affect the rotation of Talk N Text, which only recently tapped Chot Reyes as its new coach.
Asked about Parks’ absence, Reyes believes that his current team can continue to contend in the upcoming season.
“First of all, our prayers go out to him, together with our wish that he finds resolution to his personal issues. Obviously losing him is a big blow. But I have faith in the players we have in this team. We will find a way,” Reyes told sportswriters.
