KaTropa acquire Parks

Ray Parks’ stint with Blackwater turned out to be very short.

This after the Elite traded their No. 2 overall pick to TNT KaTropa for Don Trollano, Anthony Semerad and two future first-round picks in a deal that no longer surprised people close to Parks, who was involved in numerous trade talks even before playing his very first official game in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).

According to a source with deep knowledge of the situation, both camps already verbally agreed to the deal as early as last week but the league has yet to formally act due to holiday break.

The PBA Commissioner’s Office will resume operations on Monday.

Parks, who just signed a one-year deal with Blackwater, skipped the Philippine Cup to fulfill his commitment with Alab Pilipinas in the Asean Basketball League.

He finally wore the Elite uniform in the Commissioner’s Cup where he led them to a quarterfinals stint. In the ongoing Governors’ Cup, Blackwater is at the bottom of the standings with 2-7 mark.

Parks will be a welcome addition to TNT KaTropa, which needs all kinds of help following the absence of Jayson Castro, who suffered muscle strain and will be out for at least four weeks.

The former National University standout is averaging 20 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists in the season-ending conference and his looming transfer to KaTropa will boost his chance for the Rookie of the Year award.

His contract will expire in January next year and he is expected to get a new deal with the KaTropa once the trade gets the green light from PBA commissioner Willie Marcial.

Daily Tribune tried but Blackwater coach Aris Dimaunahan and TNT KaTropa mentor Bong Ravena refused to issue a statement.

Late last year, Parks was also rumored to be on his way to Meralco in a three-team trade that also involved TNT KaTropa.

Under the said deal, the Bolts will acquire Parks, Baser Amer will be shipped to KaTropa while the Elite will receive Brian Heruela and Jericho Cruz.

The deal never pushed through as the TNT KaTropa was not happy with the agreement.

TNT KaTropa is currently tied with NLEX for the top spot with identical 7-1 win-loss slates.

This will be the Elite’s third transaction in October as they also shipped Mike DiGregorio to KaTropa and Allein Maliksi and Raymar Jose to the Bolts for Nino Cañaleta, Mike Tolomia and two future second-round picks.

Trollano has been a crucial piece for the TNT KaTropa’s success this season, especially in the Commissioner’s Cup where they reached the finals behind super import Terrence Jones before losing to San Miguel Beer.

Trollano is averaging 11.8 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game this conference and is expected to play a major role for the rebuilding Blackwater team.