Nothing like catching up with an old friend.
It’s indeed the season of giving.
With Japan being a popular destination among many Filipino families this holiday season, it should be no surprise that even athletes fly to the Land of the Rising Sun.
Somone who's been living in Japan for a while now is basketball star Ray Parks Jr. The Nagoya Dolphins guard is now quite familiar with the country, and he enjoys showing his friends around when they visit Japan.
That was true for former PBA player Nico Elorde, who linked up with Parks on Thursday night.
Parks reshared on his Instagram Stories several videos of his dinner reunion with Elorde and his family.
“Thank you bro @ray1parks. The best ‘yung food,” Elorde wrote on his Instagram Story.
ALSO READ: Good set: Ray Parks Jr., Jia de Guzman help out teammates in learning language
Parks and Elorde have never been teammates but were in the same basketball circle growing up. They faced off several times in the UAAP, with Parks starring for the NU Bulldogs and Elorde orchestrating for the Ateneo Blue Eagles.
Elorde, who played six years in the PBA, was once seen as a promising guard in the league during his solid stint with the NorthPort Batang Pier. But after the 2021 season, he was released by the team and found no takers.
He is currently playing for the GenSan Warriors in the MPBL, where he remains the steady point guard he's always been.
Parks, meanwhile, has been having a rather quiet season for Nagoya, averaging only 7.1 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 2.0 assists.
Maybe someday, we could see Elorde and Parks team up.
For now, the grind and the friendship continue for the two hoopers.
(PM)