EVEN with Globalport failing to make the playoffs of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup, Gary David plans to stay in shape for a more important battle ahead.
The streak-shooting guard will only have a week off once the Batang Pier conclude their campaign in the import-laden tournament before he totally focuses his energy and attention to Gilas Pilipinas.
“Ayokong magpahinga ng matagal. Tuloy-tuloy lang ang conditioning ko tapos tuloy na training sa Gilas,” said David.
The Globalport star will be the first member of the training pool to fully concentrate on the national team’s training for its campaign in the Fiba-Asia Men’s Basketball Championship the country is hosting this August, as the new franchise has been eliminated as early as last week with a few games still to be played before the playoffs.
David looked back with a tinge of regret at how the Batang Pier’s stint ended up in yet another disappointment following a promising start that saw the team win two of its first three outings.
He said Globalport obviously still lacks cohesion after playing for only two conferences in the league.
“Kulang pa talaga ang team sa jelling at familiarity. Pero kung ano man mangyari, tuloy lang ang focus namin sa huling dalawang laro para maging maganda sana ang exit (this conference),” David told Spin.ph just before the team’s morning practice on Thursday.
The Batang Pier play No. 1 seed Alaska Aces on Friday, and then cap their campaign on Sunday against Barako Bull Energy Cola.
The native of Dinalupihan, Bataan said the only upside for him this conference was the fact that he managed to stay healthy and free of injury.
David averages 21.4 points (second-best among locals), 4.1 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in 38 minutes through 12 games this conference, numbers which he failed to deliver during his injury-riddled stint in the Philippine Cup that saw the Batang Pier finish last at 1-13.
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