The PBA Commissioner’s Office on Sunday officially approved the trade that will allow TNT KaTropa to acquire the services of star rookie Ray Parks Jr. from Blackwater in exchange for Don Trollano, Tony Semerad and a first round draft pick in 2021.
Ray Parks Jr’s stint with Blackwater lasted just 23 games. (PBA Images)
TNT team manager Gabby Cui and Blackwater team governor Silliman Sy confirmed the league approval first reported by Spin.ph, giving the PBA Governors’ Cup co-leader KaTropa an additional firepower in Parks.
Parks joins TNT after playing just 23 games with Blackwater. The third pick in last year’s PBA Draft joined the Elite after signing a two-conference contract before the start of the Commissioner’s Cup.
The former UAAP and ASEAN Basketball League MVP averaged 22.4 points, 7.6 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.6 steals in the Commissioner’s Cup and 20.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.6 steals in the Governors’ Cup.
TNT is banking on Parks to boost its title chances in the season-ending conference, especially with team captain Jayson Castro out for at least four weeks with an ankle injury.
The KaTropa are currently tied for the lead with the NLEX Road Warriors at 7-1.
It was Blackwater’s third trade in more than two weeks which began when it sent Mike DiGregorio to TNT in exchange for Brian Heruela.
The Elite also dealt Allein Maliksi and Raymar Jose to the Meralco Bolts for veteran KG Canaleta, Mike Tolomia and second round picks in the 2020 and 2022 Draft.
Trollano leaves the TNT after making significant improvements since being traded from Rain or Shine in March 2018.
The former Adamson star is averaging 11.9 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.4 assists this conference.