Ray Parks Jr. kept it light as he offered simple dunk contest advice to Francis Lopez, while reflecting on his fifth Japan B.League All-Star appearance.
Ray Parks Jr. offered a simple message for fellow Filipino import Francis Lopez of the Fighting Eagles Nagoya, who is preparing to take the spotlight in the Slam Dunk Contest at the 2026 Japan B.League All-Star Weekend.
With Lopez set to showcase his athleticism in front of a packed crowd on Saturday, Parks stressed that confidence and rhythm matter just as much as creativity in showcase events.
“On a technical note, make your first dunk. That would be big,” Parks said laughingly. “But honestly, just jump as high as you can.”
Now in his fifth All-Star appearance in the B.LEAGUE, Ray Parks Jr. admitted the milestone comes with a mix of humor and gratitude.
“I feel a little bit old, but I’m totally blessed and thankful for the opportunity that the B-League has given us,” Parks said. “It’s exciting to see so much talent in one place and to perform in front of these lovely fans here in Japan.”
[ALSO READ: Philippine guide: Where to watch the 2026 Japan B.LEAGUE All-Star Weekend]
The Osaka Evessa star also joked about sharing the stage with fellow All-Star mainstays, many of whom are also making their fifth appearance.
“At least I’m not the only person that’s old,” Parks said with a laugh. “Everybody else is in their fifth year too. We talk about it every now and then because we get to hang out with each other and play alongside each other again. It’s a great feeling.”
The All-Star Weekend opens with Day 1 featuring the debut of the All-Asia Cross Tournament, where Filipino imports Parks, Dwight Ramos, Kiefer Ravena, and AJ Edu will team up with other Asian standouts to face squads such as the Rising Stars, B2 Select, and Kyushu United.
Day 2 shifts the spotlight to individual flair, highlighted by the Skills Challenge, 3-Point Shootout, and the Slam Dunk Contest—where all eyes will be on Lopez as he looks to make his mark on the league's flashiest stage.
Fans can watch the 2026 Japan B.LEAGUE All-Star Weekend live on the Pilipinas Live app.
[ALSO READ: Japan B.LEAGUE expands global reach ahead of 2026 All-Star Weekend]
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Kiko Demigillo’s journey in sports storytelling began with a deep passion for games and athletes, which eventually grew into a full-fledged career.
Now a dedicated sportswriter, Kiko covers a wide range of beats for One Sports, including the PVL, UAAP, PBA, and various international tournaments.