It seemed only yesterday when my brothers and I were watching then PBA import Bobby Parks and idolizing local talents like Allan Caidic, Vergel Meneses, Bong Ravena and a host of others strut their stuff in the country’s oldest professional cage league.
Parks, a 6′3″ resident import of the now disbanded Shell franchise, was a seven-time PBA Best Import during his prime, leading the Gas Kings (the team’s monicker) to several professional championships in the process while teaming up with local stars Benjie Paras (now an actor) and Ronnie Magsanoc (assistant coach and television sports anchor).
And now, I just recently heard the news that a new Parks is about to make the big news in Philippine sports. That goes by the name of Bobby Ray, son of Bobby Parks.
Bobby Ray, more or less, standing at about 6′3″, has been building his resume in basketball here after representing the country in the 2010 World Youth Olympics three-on-three basketball.
He was also part of the Melrose High School that won the AAA state championship in 2010.
This year, Ray, through the guidance of his dad Bobby, decided to stick it out with the rebuilding National University Bulldogs for the 2011 UAAP men’s basketball.
In fact, the Bulldogs are already attracting much media attention, especially with the arrival of multi-titled PBA mentor Eric Altamirano set to handle the coaching chores for the long-time UAAP favorite whipping squad.
With Ray around to handle more like one of the main guard spots, he could easily mix it well with several of NU’s up and coming stars led by foreign recruit Emmanuel Mbe as well as guards Jul-Ashri Ignacio and Joseph Terso.
And with the proper guidance as well as defensive emphasis from Altamirano, it appears that the Bulldogs are just ready to shed off that whipping boys image that have long stuck with NU for decades.
Who knows, a UAAP championship could be looming in the horizon in a few years time, since NU is now being bankrolled by no less than SM Super Malls king Henry Sy.
Photo Source: http://www.ny2lasports.com/ImageFilesPlayerProfiles/Ray%20Parks.JPG