Ray-Ray Parks drops 40 in season debut as TNT pummels Terrafirma

Ray-Ray Parks got the better of CJ Perez in their shootout. PBA Images

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--Ray-Ray Parks was not inserted into the TNT lineup in its Sunday night clash against Alaska as Coach Bong Ravena revealed after the game that he is still recovering from a calf injury.

Ravena, however, assured that Parks will get some playing time on Tuesday night against Terrafirma.

And he delivered.

Parks sent a huge message to the PBA community in his season debut, dropping 40 points on the Dyip as the Tropang Giga emerged victorious, 112-101, at the Angeles University Foundation Sports and Cultural Center.

Parks did not just led TNT to the win but also prevailed against CJ Perez in a scoring showdown as Terrafirma, despite a better showing in the fourth quarter, could not get things done.

The Tropang Giga led from wire to wire and even led by as much as 20 points in the third quarter as Parks quickly caught fire.

The Dyip somehow got their offensive rhythm going in the fourth quarter, drawing to within 95-106 with 2:47 remaining, but that was all they could give in the end.

Parks actually finished with a double-double as he too grabbed 11 rebounds alongside five assists, one steal, and one block as TNT moved up to 2-0 in the standings.

Parks' fellow National University alumnus Troy Rosario added 20 points, 15 rebounds, five assists, one block, and one steal.

Poy Erram, who struggled in his debut as a Tropang Giga member, fared better this time, making 14 points on 5-of-9 shooting, two rebounds, three assists, and two steals off the bench.

RR Pogoy, who sizzled for 45 points against the Aces on Sunday night, only got 11, although he also had nine boards, two dimes, two interceptions, and one block.

Perez made 30 points, six rebounds, and three steals for Terrafirma.

The scores:

TNT 112 -- Parks 40, Rosario 20, Castro 15, Erram 14, Pogoy 11, Reyes 4, Enciso 3, De Leon 3, Vosotros 2, Semerad 0, Alejandro 0, Carey 0

Terrafirma 101 -- Perez 30, Khobuntin 16, Mccarthy 14, Calvo 14, Ramos 9, Adams 7, Camson 5, Celda 3, Faundo 2, Gabayni 1, Cahilig 0, Balagasay 0, Batiller 0

Quarterscores: 27-19, 56-43, 90-75, 112-101

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