Everything was done in good faith.
That’s what Bobby Ray Parks, Jr. insisted Saturday as he cleared the issue regarding his contract standoff with former team TNT Tropang Giga months ago, which undeniably caused quite a stir all across social media.
“Everything that I did was in good faith. And my heart was in the right place when it came to everything. And it was very clear that I want to prioritize my family and, you know, taking care of my family,” he told Power and Play.
Parks openly spoke regarding the matter in the program hosted by former PBA commissioner Noli Eala, and emphasized that he was just really after taking care of his family when he asked for a sabbatical from the league.
“I didn’t go into specifics or what or anything like that. But at the end of the day, I did everything with a good heart,” he said.
“People may not understand it right now — or will they ever, probably — but the people around me, and the people nearest and dearest to me, know that my character holds true. And I did everything from a loving standpoint in a sense.
“So I’ll allow the people that I’m nearest to and closest to me to vouch for me and to know my part of the story,” he added.
The 28-year-old guard said that he could take all the criticisms and whatnot but he could not afford to see his family become affected by the issue.
“That’s the thing that hurts the most, to be honest,” the second-generation cager said. “I’m fine with people crucifying my name and hurting me, but then when it affects the people that I love, that’s when it really gets to me.
“My mother and my sister were able to read some of these things. And, you know with social media nowadays, things are really out there in the sense of sometimes we say words that we can’t hold these people accountable. But then we have to realize that we’re all human beings, we all have family, we all have loved ones. And it hurts me seeing my mother cry. It hurts me when my family members say that, gusto kitang ipaglaban,” he continued.
“I just want to tell them that you know the truth, you know that what happened and God is suffering and he will vindicate me and us and pull us through these tough times.”
Parks, though, admitted that there was a miscommunication between him and his old ball club, particularly team owner Manny V. Pangilinan. But the young pro is more than willing to apologize for such.
“When it came to the miscommunications and all that, I’d humble myself and just say I apologize for any misunderstanding whether it’s the TNT family, to the PBA, or even to the fans,” said the former 2nd overall pick.
Now, the well-traveled cager is moving forward, with his sights set on bringing his talents to the Nagoya Diamond Dolphins of the Japan B.League. And he hopes to still have the support of his country with him.
“I just hope that they give me the benefit of the doubt that my heart was in the right place, and going forward that they can continue to support me in this journey,” said Parks, who’s been in Japan since August 20.
“You may not like me but hopefully you can still support me as a fellow kababayan na nasa ibang bansa trying to represent our country.”
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