More mature Parks cherishes leader role for pacesetting NU

MANILA, Philippines - Ray Parks has led National University - a longtime a bottom-feeder squad - to the top of the standings of the 76th UAAP season.

Parks shared that his maturity has come a long way and has been singing a different tune all season-long, giving his team the needed trust for them to take the next step.

"The maturity and trust are the main difference. Before I was still young and I always go out there trying to prove something else," Parks replied when asked about what has distinguished his performance this year from his previous UAAP campaigns.

"I put all egos aside and really focus to be a team player and really make them feel that I trust them. It’s not just about I can say I can trust them. It's about showing them," he added.

The two-time UAAP MVP has evolved into a young leader for the Bulldogs, and proof of this was their game against Ateneo Wednesday.

The Bulldogs designed an isolation play for Parks in the final moments of the game. But the former UAAP Most Valuable Player saw an open Denice Villamor and quickly gave up the ball that led to a booming triple, giving NU a huge breather down the stretch.

"It was an iso play towards the end, but Denice found an open lane so I gave it to him. I just have to trust my teammates. We can only win games if we do it together," said Parks, who scored 24 points in the win.

NU is guaranteed an all-important twice-to-beat incentive in the Final Four regardless of what happens in the remaining games. The Bulldogs finished the elimination round with a 10-4 win-loss card but Parks believes they have to retain the same mindset to play their best.

"The win is definitely a blessing and I want to thank God but for us, we still have to think like underdogs and come with a different sense of energy because we haven't accomplished anything yet," said Parks.

The son of the late seven-time Best Import winner Bobby Parks, the younger Ray-Ray has been drawing inspiration from his father.

"Everyone has their own beliefs and I believe that my dad is out there looking out for me and God is always there also for me so every game, I know I have an advantage," he said.