BOBBY Ray Parks is out of the Philippine team to the Southeast Asian Games, his place taken over by Baser Amer in one of few changes done weeks before the biennial showpiece in Singapore.
Parks has been practicing with the team since its formation, but sources close to the son of PBA great Bobby Parks said he has decided to leave for the US to give his dream of playing in the NBA another shot.
The two-time UAAP MVP out of National University is leaving on Tuesday for the US.
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| La Salle's Prince Rivero and San Beda star Baser Amer are the newest additions to the SEA Games-bound team after Bobby Ray Parks' departure. photo (c) Jerome Ascano |
The NBA rookie draft is set on June 25.
Also out of the team is Russell Escoto, who, according to officials of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP), failed to secure an accreditation for the Singapore Games set to begin in June 5.
In his place, Gilas cadets coach Tab Baldwin has brought in incoming La Salle sophomore Prince Rivero, who has impressed during the initial tryouts conducted by the national coach.
Rivero has continued to practice with the Gilas cadets despite failing to make the initial 12-man roster led by Kiefer Ravena, Mac Belo, Troy Rosario, and Marcus Douthit.
Despite the late changes, Baldwin remained confident the Gilas cadets are on track in their defense of the SEA Games gold medal.
“I think we are still on track, we performed very well in the Seaba. There were changes but virtually it is still the same team,” said Baldwin who revealed the competition at Sea Games basketball has gone tougher.
“Other than that, we recognize that the management of Gilas (SBP) and the people of the Philippines expect us to go there and get the gold and we recognize that. We accept that responsibility and we will do efforts to do that,” he added.
Surprisingly, La Salle star Jeron Teng, relegated to a reserve after the first round of tryouts, was not tapped to replace Parks or Escoto.
Source: Snow Badua of Spin.ph
