As far as TNT is concerned, Ray Parks has quashed doubts about his ability to be a team player.

Parks did it all as TNT returned to the PBA Philippine Cup finals for the first time in 7 seasons with a gritty 91-81 victory over Phoenix in their do-or-die semifinals affair.

The second-generation star netted team-highs of 25 points, 10 rebounds, and 6 assists in 45 minutes of play while committing only a single turnover.

“He proved himself, proved that he is a team player, not an individual player,” said TNT head coach Bong Ravena in a mix of Filipino and English of Parks, who the team acquired last season.

“He brought us to the finals. There are no more doubts about him.”

Parks is undoubtedly the most consistent player for TNT in the playoffs, averaging 27.8 points, 8.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.8 steals in the best-of-five semifinals affair.

Prior to the knockout Game 5, Parks helped TNT stave off elimination with a masterful 36-point, 6-rebound, and 2-steal outing.

“He matured. You can see in his game that he really wants to make his team look better. He is also still getting better,” Ravena said.

Parks said he did not want to see the time he spent away from his family while being in the PBA bubble go to waste.

“We’re here now. We sacrificed two months. We sacrificed not being with our families. This is really dedicated to them,” Parks said.

“It is not easy being away from them, it is not easy being in a bubble. We just wanted to make it into the finals and the job is not finished yet.” – Rappler.com