MANILA, Philippines — Ray Parks was officially welcomed back to the national team pool on Tuesday night after the former National University star personally reached out to Chot Reyes to express his commitment to the Gilas Pilipinas program.

Parks was surprisingly not included in the list of players tweeted by Reyes on June 9 as part of the pool, which included Kobe Paras and Kiefer Ravena, among others.

However, Parks contacted Reyes on Monday to clear the air and express his desire to once again join the team.

"It's more about reaching out and more on communicating," said Parks on Tuesday after Gilas' practice at the Meralco Gym.

"There were some miscommunication, but at the end of the day, it's all about representing the country, especially with what the country's going through right now."

Parks, who was among the early birds at the Meralco Gym on Tuesday, last wore national team colors at the FIBA Olympic qualifiers in July 2016.

Since then, he has been busy competing for Alab Pilipinas in the ASEAN Basketball League (ABL), where he wound up winning the local MVP award.

Though the 23-year-old Parks is a welcome addition to the pool, he can no longer be added to the Philippines' lineup for the Jones Cup next month.

"Unfortunately, we've already submitted our lineup for the Jones Cup, so unless we're able to make any representations and the organizers allow it, I don't think he can make it anymore,"
Reyes explained.

However, Parks is eligible for Gilas Pilipinas' upcoming tournaments, including the FIBA Asia Cup and the Southeast Asian Games.

"Certainly, for the other tournaments, he can still make it," Reyes said.

"But he has to earn his spot, just like everyone else. He said he's fine with it," he added. "So he started coming to practice, and we're officially adding him now to the Gilas pool."

For Parks, being part of the national team program once more is a blessing.

"Just being in the national pool, there's a lot of talent, and I'm blessed just to be here right know," he said. "Everybody's trying out, everybody's trying to be part of the lineup. Everybody's doing their best."

Parks also said that he will leave it up to Reyes as to which particular iteration of the national team he will join.

"To be honest, wherever my country needs me to," he said. "I mean, I'd love to represent the country with the best talent and with experienced players. Wherever my country needs me to, I'll definitely serve."

For more sports coverage, visit the ABS-CBN Sports website.