TNT’s Ray Parks Jr. said his nomination for the coveted PBA Philippine Cup Best Player of the Conference further solidifies the legacy built by his legendary father.
“I still carry the Parks name, and I just want to put my own footsteps down, you know, bring my own chapter into play when it comes to playing in the PBA and create more of a chapter to the Parks legacy,” Parks said during an interview in the program The Game on ONE Sports.
“Being able to be a candidate for this award, it really helps solidify that, in some ways,” added the son of seven-time PBA Best Import Bobby Parks.
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Parks is one of six nominees for the award which will be named in the virtual PBA Awards Night on Sunday.
Other nominees are TNT teammate RR Pogoy, Barangay Ginebra San Miguel’s Stanley Pringle, Phoenix Super LPG’s Matthew Wright and Calvin Abueva and Terrafirma’s CJ Perez.
Parks is in the running after ending the bubble with the highest Statistical Points while helping TNT reach the Finals. He, however, was sidelined for the remainder of the title series against Ginebra due to a calf strain in Game 1.
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Fifty percent of the SPs will be used as criteria for the BPC, with the remaining 50 being votes from the players, media and the PBA Commissioner’s Office.
Parks had an impressive showing in the Philippine Cup after using the PBA suspension caused by COVID-19 to shed about 20-22 lbs while working on his individual skills.
“Ever since (the season was suspended in mid-March), I was locked in, preparing my mind, my body for whatever happens, really,” he said, adding that Parks worked with nutritionist Jeaneth Aro regarding his diet.
“Once the gyms kinda open, the country would allow it, I was able to get into a gym. And a good friend of mine had a personal gym that I was getting into,” he added.