Parks clarifies he didn't 'refuse' offer to play for Gilas

Ray Parks Jr. on Friday clarified his reasons for declining the invitation to play for the Philippine national team, blasting reports that made it appear he refused to play for flag.

The prized Blackwater rookie said he passed up the chance to play for the country out of “delicadeza.”

On Twitter, the son of legendary PBA import Bobby Parks wrote: “First off I didn’t decline due to different priorities smh (shaking my head). Hiya, oo, pero priority, hindi. First conference ko pa lang sa PBA, pinayagan na ako ng Blackwater tapusin [ang] ABL stint ko kaya sobrang thankful ako. Tapos ngayon wala kaming import tapos mawawala ako, nahihiya lang din ako sa BWE (Blackwater Elite).”

Woke up this morning to a misleading article smh. For people to actually believe that i dont want to represent my country is crazy. Kaya nga nglaro sa Alab and went abroad carrying the 🇵🇭 flag anywhere and everywhere i go.

— Bobby Ray Parks Jr. (@ray1parks) June 20, 2019

Parks said he has always wanted to represent the Philippines in international competitions.

• FIBA World Cup: Ray Parks declined to be part of Gilas pool, says Guiao

“Woke up this morning to a misleading article smh. For people to actually believe that I don't want to represent my country is crazy. Kaya nga naglaro sa Alab (Pilipinas) and went abroad carrying the Philippine flag anywhere and everywhere I go,” said Parks.

Parks added that he would rather give up his slot to Gilas players who worked hard to make sure they qualify for the FIBA World Cup.

“Nahihiya din ako sa mga players na naglaro during the qualifiers and nagpakahirap to get our spot at the World Cup. Sino ba namang proud na Pinoy na hindi mahihiya kasi each player who played are deserving of a spot? Rinerespeto ko sila at 'yung pinaghirapan nila,” he added.

National head coach Yeng Guiao was earlier quoted as saying Parks had other priorities for now.

“We have a few other names na gusto naming imbitahan. Actually, for today, we invited Ray Parks, but he declined,” he said, following their second practice in preparation for the world meet in August.

Guiao said it was team liaison officer Yvette Reyes who was in contact with Parks.

“My understanding is he declined to be part of the pool. Ang nangyari kasi is I asked ma’am Yvette to get in touch with him,” he said.

“My understanding is may iba siyang priorities.”

(For more sports coverage, visit the ABS-CBN Sports website.)