by Jonas Terrado
ANTIPOLO CITY — Ray Parks Jr. urged Calvin Abueva to direct his apology toward girlfriend Maika Rivera for making an indecent gesture during Phoenix Pulse's 103-98 win over Blackwater.
Abueva had already apologized to Parks for the incident which came late in Friday's game at the Mall of Asia Arena but insisted that he only reacted in a lewd manner after Rivera hurled unpleasant remarks.
“I appreciate it but I felt that it should be directed toward my girl,” Parks said after Sunday’s 98-92 win over Rain or Shine at the Ynares Center here. “Before this, me and Calvin had no issues. We follow each other on Instagram and say hello and say what’s up.
“I felt like it’s just more about protecting Maika and at the end of the day she's still a woman and at the end of the day we're still professionals,” he added.
Parks also denied Abueva's claim that Rivera made racial remarks that triggered the incident.
“There were derogatory things that have been said. I know one thing for sure though is that my girl is not a racist,” Parks said.
“She comes from a good family and it would be very discriminatory to me if she would have said the word that was allegedly said. But the truth will find its way out,” he added.
Phoenix had already fined Abueva P20,000 for the gesture, calling it a “regrettable incident.” PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial is also set to summon Abueva to explain his side.
PBA legal counsel Melvin Mendoza was tasked to investigate the matter.