GARY David apologized for his involvement in the scuffle between Meralco teammate Jared Dillinger and Alaska forward Calvin Abueva that marred the two teams' game on Friday.
The 6-1 guard out of Dinalupihan, Bataan was seen in a video review raising a clenched fist and looking to throw a punch at Abueva after the former Rookie of the Year awardee got entangled with Dillinger as they fell over the baseline railing in the fourth quarter of the Bolts' 74-65 victory.
They Said It!
“Apektado ang mga anak ko kasi tinanong nila ako at sinabi nga nila na dapat di na ako sumali." - Meralco Bolts guard Gary David
David, however, said his reaction came during the heat of the moment and, more than anything else, was meant to protect his teammate after seeing Dillinger end up with a bloodied nose after the commotion.
“Nung nakita kong may dugo sa ilong, di ko lang maiwasan and very physical ang game sa basketball," a contrite David told the media after his 15-minute meeting with league commissioner Chito Salud on Tuesday.
"Kaya kung ano man ang ginawa ko, alam ko nakisali pa ako sa ganun, humihingi ako ng paumanhin sa mga fans at nakita yung ginawa ko (on TV),” David added.
David, Meralco’s leading scorer this season with a 17.6-point average, said his action clearly set a bad example to young people, particularly to his kids who saw him join the fray during the game.
“Apektado ang mga anak ko kasi tinanong nila ako at sinabi nga nila na dapat di na ako sumali sa ganun,” said the Gilas Pilipinas mainstay, father to three kids Maxene, Gariel, and Jeylaa.
David said he expects no less than a hefty fine from Salud for his action, though he vowed not to get involved in any kind of altercation in the future.
“May fine talaga, nag-usap naman kami ni Com (Salud) about sa fine. Wala namang problema, dahil trabaho nila Com iyan, okay lang,” added the reigning PBA scoring champion.
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