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MPBL: Answering coach’s challenge to be better, Parks leads Mandaluyong to win

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Roy Luarca

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2018/sports/06/23/mpbl-2018-2018-062318_1.jpg"/><figcaption>Ray Parks Jr. Courtesy of MPBL Facebook</figcaption></figure></div>A relaxed Ray Parks Jr. powered Mandaluyong El Tigre to a 71-61 victory over the Zamboanga Valientes in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Datu Cup at a packed Imus City Sports Complex in Cavite Saturday.Unlike in his first game when he played tight, the versatile Parks got his teammates, as El Tigre repelled repeated rallies by the Valientes and bounced back from an 86-74 beating dealt to them by the Muntinlupa Cagers in the league opener on June 12.Responding to coach Mac Cuan’s challenge, Parks scored 13 points, dished off a new league record 15 assists, snagged 6 rebounds and had 2 steals and 1 block against only 1 turnover to earn player of the game honors.Benefiting from Parks’ feeds, Prince Rivero top-scored with 18 points and added 8 rebounds for El Tigre, who led by as many as 16, 40-24, in the second quarter.“I challenged him, especially after those issues came out,” Cuan said. “Ray you’ve been doing well, earning back-to-back MVP honors in the ABL. Don’t ruin yourself by saying things like that.”After the loss to the Cagers, Parks, son and namesake of the late Bobby Parks, a PBA 7-time best import, criticized the officiating, particularly on offensive fouls, and asserted that “they don’t want me in this league.”The 6-foot-4 Parks, also a two-time UAAP MVP who saw action in the NBA G League last year, took Cuan’s advice to heart and gave a glimpse of what he’s capable of, including two one-handed slams.With Gian Lloyd Abrigo pulling down 13 rebounds, El Tigre ruled the boards, 52-36, and showed more cohesion than the Valientes with more assists, 26-14.The Valientes held El Tigre scoreless for the first six minutes of the second quarter to close in at 23-20.Janus Lozada sniped for 2 triples while Parks engineered the plays to pad El Tigre’s lead anew, 40-24, with 2:18 left in the period.The Valientes refused to give up, however, leaning on two triples by Lanete and a jumper by Reed Juntilla to threaten at 45-46.Parks, however, scored on a fastbreak and Rivero unloaded 6 straight points underneath to quash the rally.(For more sports coverage, visit the <a href="http://sports.abs-cbn.com/">ABS-CBN Sports website</a>.)

A relaxed Ray Parks Jr. powered Mandaluyong El Tigre to a 71-61 victory over the Zamboanga Valientes in the MPBL Datu Cup Saturday.

A relaxed Ray Parks Jr. powered Mandaluyong El Tigre to a 71-61 victory over the Zamboanga Valientes in the MPBL Datu Cup Saturday.