Seven-time PBA Best Import winner Bobby Parks should be smiling in heaven.
His son and namesake Rayray Jr. is an instant hit in the local pro league, making a big impact in Blackwater's auspicious 2-0 start in the PBA Commissioner's Cup.
After a 20-point effort in his PBA debut against Meralco, Parks dished out an even bigger game Friday, firing away 28 points, including 10 in overtime, as the Elite upended titleholder Barangay Ginebra, 108-107, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
"The team is young and hungry. Our young legs give us the extra push," said Parks after Blackwater's second straight OT victory in the mid-season tourney.
"It's a test of character. We're learning to grow and trust one another. We want to create an identity of playing good defensive game, and we'll try to win more games," Parks also said.
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A former UAAP MVP winner and ABL MVP victor, Parks scored 10 of their 14 points in the extra play, including two booming treys, a layup and two charities to complete their come-from-behind victory that already matched their two-win tally in the all-Filipino tourney.
Alex Stepheson also put it 28 markers and added 23 rebounds while Mac Belo, Mike Digregorio and Allein Malksi chipped in 20, 12 and 11 markers, respectively, for the Elite who overcame a 12-point deficit in the fourth quarter.
Belo, Maliksi and Parks teamed up in a torrid run that pushed Blackwater ahead at 92-90 with 1:26 left in regulation.
Ginebra banked on the exploits of Justin Brownlee as the Kings forced the extension play at 94.
Brownlee, who flirted with a triple-double game with 44 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists, displayed a sustained brilliance only to blow his effort as he opted to give up possession in the closing seconds of OT.
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Instead of driving to the basket, Brownlee kicked the ball out to Scottie Thompson who missed a three-point attempt at the buzzer to the disappointment of the Ginebra throng.
Also going to naught was Greg Slaughter's solid 24-point game against Stepheson.
Parks had the last laugh versus Brownlee in a duel of friends and teammates with San Miguel Alab Pilipinas in the ABL. (SB)
The scores:
Blackwater 108 - Parks 28, Stepheson 28, Belo 20, Digregorio 12, Maliksi 11, Sumang 5, Cortez 2, Tratter 2, Sena 0, Al-Hussaini 0, Alolino 0, Desiderio 0.
Ginebra 107 - Brownlee 44, Slaughter 24, Tenorio 8, Dela Cruz 8, Chan 7, Thompson 7, Aguilar 3, Caperal 2, Mariano 2, Ferrer 2, Teodoro 0, Mercado 0.
Quarterscores: 25-22, 46-47, 70-79, 94-94, 108-107
