BOBBY PARKS PASSES AWAY AT 51
Legendary PBA import Bobby Parks has lost his battle with cancer.
The seven-time Best Import awardee, inducted into the PBA Hall of Fame in 2009, passed on Saturday afternoon at 51.
The former Memphis State U stalwart, a third-round, 58th overall choice by the Atlanta Hawks in the 1984 NBA Draft, died of lung cancer which developed from his previously untreated laryngeal cancer.
The 6-foot-4 Parks played in the PBA from 1987 to 1999, winning three championships with San Miguel Beer and Formula Shell.
He made his PBA debut with the Beermen in 1987 then became a resident import of the Turbo Chargers, finishing his 13-year career with 8,955 points, 3,370 rebounds, 1,192 assists, 247 steals and 563 shotblocks in 221 games.
In 1989, he averaged a whopping 52.6 points in 23 games with a high of 72 in a 140-136 loss to San Miguel Beer on March 5, 1989. He also normed 17.1 rpg that year.
Before his passing, he’s connected, among others, with the National University Bulldogs where his son Bobby Ray Jr. is currently the star player.
He also coached the San Miguel Beermen in the Asean Basketball League (ABL).
Hard court peers and foes showered Parks with praises and tributes moments after his passing.
“Bobby loved his family, friends n basketball immensely. He leaves behind a legacy of passion, excellence and winning. RIP Bob. You are home,” said former PBA commissioner Noli Eala on his Twitter account.
“More than his seven Best Import Awards, Bobby brought in an un-import-like work ethic, in contrast to the ‘pa-star’ ways of most imports then and now,” posted national coach Chot Reyes on his own Twitter page.
“As a player, there was no way to stop him. Every time we schemed to stop him, he’d either seen the scheme before or figured it out so quickly that it became useless,” said Alaska coach Tim Cone on interaktv.
“He was an incredibly skilled player but what truly made him special was that he was such an intelligent player. Also, he had an unusual motor; he never tired or took a play off and was great on both sides of the ball. He was unique in his ability and in his approach to the game, and that made him special,” Cone also said.
“I had such tremendous respect for him as a player and a person. I’ll miss him dearly.” (SB)
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