In one stretch in the third period, Gary “El Granada” David exploded to keep the Bataan Defenders-BaiShipping afloat in their second game in the MPBL-Anta Rajah Cup.
There, Gary David, the former scoring champion in the PBA for several years, was able to put on a shooting clinic. He scored 13 points in the third quarter alone and by the end of the quarter he produced 26 markers.
But not even another explosive night for the 6-foot-2 former Lyceum stalwart could carry the Defenders to victory as the team absorbed its second straight loss in as many games.
David has embraced the role not only as go-to-guy of the Defenders but also as the ambassador of this fledgling league that has drawn attention throughout the country.
He has become the face of the league as every player in the MPBL emulates the way he plays and takes the opportunity of playing either against him or with him.
But I won’t be surprised if David would only stay in the MPBL in a short time as he would attract attention from several PBA ball clubs, especially with the kind of performance he displayed.
He finished with 22 in the team’s first loss to Quezon City then spewed fire anew Saturday night as he erupted for 32 in a loss to host Batangas City Athletics-Tanduay.
David is not closing the doors for a possible PBA return, thus using the MPBL as a platform in his potential return for a bigger stage.
It would be exciting to see David torching the hoops, but it would be more interesting if his squad could provide the sensational veteran swingman all the support he needed.
David doesn’t have many more chances left and it’s not ideal if El Granada would carry the firepower alone for the Defenders.
This is not the Gary David of 2012, the one we’ve seen in Powerade, which burned the then no. 1 seed B-Meg Llamados being coached by Tim Cone in his first conference, and helped the Tigers make a Cinderella Run.
We’re seeing a David, who needs to be paced and preserved for the crucial stretch in order for him to be more productive.
David definitely needs a lot of help.
We’ve seen greatness in display in the MPBL and David is one bright star out there.
And he’s just warming up.
Rey Joble has been has been covering the PBA games for more than a decade. He is a member of the PBA Press Corps and Philippine Sportswriters Association.
