Barely a week since his much talked about trade was consummated, Bobby Ray Parks, Jr. suited up for TNT KaTropa and quickly made his presence felt last Friday.
The former Blackwater player scattered 17 points, two rebounds and two assists as against three turnovers in a solid 42-minute debut, although the KaTropa fell short and yielded to Barangay Ginebra, 93-96.
"Pretty good," was how TNT consultant Mark Dickel replied when asked how Parks did on his maiden outing.
"He's had three practices and it's never easy. We run some different stuff from what he's used to and it will be obviously much easier if Jayson were there, just allowing him to play more the natural role he's gonna play when he (Castro) comes back.
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"So we're kinda scrambling on two fronts now. I was happy with him. I thought he played good especially in endgame. He gave us a chance to get back and tie up. I was happy with him, " said Dickel.
Parks drained in a clutch bucket and a booming trey and set up RR Pogoy for the equalizing triple in a 10-0 run that put TNT on level at 92-92.
Stanley Pringle's layup and Justin Brownlee's charities sandwiching a split by KJ McDaniels gave Ginebra a 96-93 cushion and Parks had a chance to force extra time but misfired his last gasp shot from beyond the arc.
"I take full responsibility for the loss," the second-generation player said.
"TNT is a great group and I'm still adjusting, but the guys did a great job of taking me in," he added.
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"I gotta step into the plate and do better, " he also said.
Dickel said they expect to further maximize the skills of Parks when the KaTropa hit the court again on Nov. 16 in a road gig against Magnolia.
"I think in eight days, Ray will get a little better more and will be a little bit more comfortable with his teammates and hopefully we'll look a little bit better next game," he said.(OL)
