MANILA, Philippines—Bobby Ray Parks Jr. was invited to join the Gilas Pilipinas pool but the Blackwater rookie declined, national team coach Yeng Guiao revealed on Thursday night.

"Actually for today, we invited Ray Parks, but he declined. So, we're just going to have to look for some other people whom we can consider in the national pool," said Guiao after the national team's practice, wherein nine players attended.

"My understanding is he declined to be part of the pool," he clarified. "My understanding is, may iba siyang priorities."

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Guiao had asked Yvette Reyes, the national team's liaison officer, to get in touch with Parks who opted not to join the national team for now.

Parks played for the Philippines in the 2016 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament, and has also represented the country in several regional tournament including the Southeast Asian Games.

The Blackwater rookie has yet to reply to a request for comment from ABS-CBN News.

Parks, a former 2-time UAAP Most Valuable Player with National University and a 3-time ABL MVP with San Miguel Alab Pilipinas, is averaging 23.4 points, 6 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game for Blackwater in the 2019 PBA Commissioner's Cup.

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