Parks makes Blackwater debut today
Credit to Author: JOSEF T. RAMOS, TMT| Date: Sat, 18 May 2019 16:25:43 +0000
Rookie Bobby Ray Parks Jr. makes his Blackwater debut today as the Elite battle Meralco in the opener of Season 44 Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Also seeing action with Blackwater are first timer head coach Aries Dimaunahan and former Meralco import Alex Stepheson.
Game begins at 4:30 p.m.
Dimaunahan replaced former head coach Bong Ramos after the Elite finished with a pitiful 2-9 win-loss record in the last Philippine Cup.
“We are very excited and we’re looking for our first win in a long time — Aries’ first win as a rookie coach. We are extremely happy with Alex Stepheson — very down to earth and humble, also same with Ray Parks,” Blackwater team owner Dioceldo Sy told The Manila Times.
Parks was the Elite’s second overall pick during the pre-Season 44 rookie draft. Parks skipped the Philippine Cup because he played for Alab Pilipinas in the Asean Basketball League.
“Ray has blended perfectly with the team and was a teammate of Alex in the NBA G league before,” added Sy.
Meanwhile, Meralco coach Norman Black said newly signed Raymond Almazan is yet to see action because of injury.
“Almazan will not play because of his past calf injury. He will return to action in the PBA in two to three weeks. Still, we are ready to go and looking forward to our first game versus Blackwater,” said Black, who will be counting on Nigerian import Gali Lawal.
In the 6:45 p.m. game, new American import Kyle Barone will display his prowess when Columbian Dyip under coach John Cardel faces Alaska.
The Aces, on the other hand, are fortified by import Chris Daniels supported by locals Simon Enciso, Sonny Thoss, Kevin Racal, Vic Manuel and Jayvee Casio.
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