MANILA, Philippines – Ray Parks clarified his decision to turn down an invitation to join Gilas Pilipinas’ pool, saying he respects the players who pulled out all the stops to reach the 2019 FIBA World Cup.

National team head coach Yeng Guiao revealed Parks declined the offer due to “other priorities,” but the Blackwater rookie said otherwise.

“First off, I didn’t decline due to different priorities. SMH (Shaking my head). Hiya oo, pero priority hindi,” Parks wrote on a series of tweets. 

(First off, I didn’t decline due to different priorities. Shaking my head. I was shameful but not because of other priorities.) 

“First conference ko pa lang sa PBA, pinayagan na ako ng Blackwater tapusin ABL stint ko kaya sobrang thankful ako. Tapos ngayon wala kaming import tapos mawawala ako, nahihiya lang din ako sa Blackwater.” 

(It’s just my first conference in the PBA, Blackwater allowed me to finish my ABL stint so I’m very thankful. And then now, we don’t have an import and I’ll be gone, I think it’s not fair to Blackwater.) 

Nabbed as the second overall pick in the recent draft, Parks missed the entire Philippine Cup due to his commitment to Alab Pilipinas in the ASEAN Basketball League. 

But he has since made up for lost time as he averages 23.4 points, 6.0 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 1.7 steals to lead the Elite to a 4-2 record in the Commissioner’s Cup.

“Nahihiya din ako sa mga players na naglaro during the qualifiers and nagpakahirap to get our spot at the World Cup,” Parks added. 

(I feel ashamed for taking the spot of the players who played in the qualifiers and worked hard 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.” 

(What kind of a proud Filipino wouldn’t feel shameful when each player who played is deserving of a spot. I respect them and the hard work they put in.) 

A three-time Southeast Asian Games and a Southeast Asia Basketball Championship gold medalist, Parks said his Alab stint is a testament he takes pride in donning the national colors. 

“For people to actually believe that I don’t want to represent my country is crazy, kaya nga naglaro sa Alab and went abroad carrying the flag anywhere and everywhere I go.”

(For people to actually believe that I don’t want to represent my country is crazy, that’s why I played for Alab and went abroad carrying the flag anywhere and everywhere I go.) 

First off i didnt decline due to different priorities smh. Hiya oo pero priority hindi. First conference ko palang sa PBA pinayagan na ako ng Blackwater tapusin ABL stint ko kaya sobrang thankful ako. Tapos ngayon wala kaming import tapos mawawala ako nahihiya lang din ako sa BWE

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

Nahihiya din ako sa mga players na nglaro during the qualifiers and ngpakahirap 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.

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

– Rappler.com