MANILA, Philippines – Filipino-American basketball player Bobby Parks Jr. is looking forward to another season of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) basketball next school year when he will lead National University (NU) Bulldogs.
Parks Jr., son of former 7-time Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) import Bobby Sr., says he's hoping for a better teamwork for NU to assure themselves a spot in the finals.
Parks Jr. also said the Bulldogs will hopefully join the final 4 stint in the 74th season. He said the team has what it takes to face-off with his other semifinal prospects: the Ateneo de Manila Blue Eagles, the De la Salle Green Archers, and the Adamson University Soaring Falcons.
"If our team works hard, hopefully we'll make it the championship," he said on ANC's Hardball Wednesday night.
For now, the 6'3" lad remains positive as the NU Bulldogs concentrate on their growth as a team.
"Right now, I'm trying to concentrate in this coming UAAP season. I really wanna take one step at a time, I'll just see what the future holds," he said.
"And what I think is we can throw our own destiny so instead of worrying about the other teams. I'm worried about us right now because we're right to the basics," he added.
Just recently, the Bulldogs hired a new coach -- Eric Altamirano.
Parks Jr. said he's hoping to work well with Altamirano for next year's season, noting the coach will improve him both as a hoop star and a person.
"I felt comfortable with him. He's a great coach, [he] has great reputation, great system, he said.
"I really believe that he can make me better on and off the court," he added.
Earlier, Altamirano was the one who confirmed Parks Jr. will stay in the team after an earlier report that the teenager will transfer to the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) in the US.
Like father, like son
Bobby Parks Sr. with his son Ray Parks Jr. during an interview with ANC's Hardball.
In last season, NU, an underdog in the famed basketball competition, fell short of reaching the semifinal round by just one game. Towards the Final 4, it bowed to University of Sto. Tomas, 58-59.
Despite this, Parks Sr., the incoming assistant athletic director of NU, expressed confidence that the Bulldogs have all the chance to improve next season. He said they will just have to be on their toes being "a young team and an unexperienced team,"
"Plan is to practice hard, and prepare for the competition," he said. "We will have to play hard."
Parks Sr., who has played in San Miguel Beer, Anejo Rhum (now Barangay Ginebra) and Formula Shell (also known as Shell Turbo), also hopes his son's presence will strengthen the team's lineup.
"Ray has to be a leader for the team," he said.
Parks Sr. also claimed his son will showcase the knowledge he had taught both as a father and trainer. He said the NU playmaker will turn out as good as he believes him to be.
"What I gave him is the ability to read teams, situations, my toughness which he got, and the ability to take the big shot in the end," he said.
On the other hand, Parks Jr. said he is not affected by the pressure thrown at him for having a former PBA star as a father.
"The pressure... he doesn't really put on my shoulder. He wants me to play mg game the way I like to play it," the incoming NU player said.
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