WHEN calls that Gary David be dropped from the World Cup-bound Gilas Pilipinas grew over the past few weeks, his wife said it was not so much the player but his family that was affected.
“Hindi naman affected si Gary sa ganun, kaso ako at ang nine-year old daughter namin na si Maxene ang mas nag-ke-carry ng burden,” said the Meralco star's wife, Jenn.
“Mas nasasaktan kasi kami nung anak ko. Syempre naman, asawa mo o tatay mo, pagsasalitaan ng masama. Syempre masakit, di ba? Alam naman namin kung gaano rin mag pursige si Gary,” she added.
They Said It!
“Feel ko nasasaktan din si Gary for us, not for himself ha. Kaya nakikita ko mas determined siya ngayon na bumawi at mas ikundisyon ang sarili niya." Meralco guard Gary David's wife Jenn
So you could just image the pride the family felt on Sunday night when the Meralco gunner stood out as a star among the stars during the midseason PBA All-Star Game at the Mall of Asia Arena.
With Jenn and kids Maxene, Gariel and Jeylaa in attendance, David scored 15 points to go with two assists and two rebounds to win the All-Star MVP award, validating his place in the national team.
“Syempre masayang masaya kami ng mga anak ko kasi parang nakabawi na siya eh,” said Jenn.
The former Jenn Santos said David may not be showing any frustration over fans' sentiments on his Gilas place, but she can see that it has served as extra motivation for her husband.
David, she said, has turned the negative comments into something positive as he continues to work hard on his shot and keep in shape with a more stringent diet.
“Feel ko nasasaktan din si Gary for us, not for himself ha. Kaya nakikita ko mas determined siya ngayon na bumawi at mas ikundisyon ang sarili niya,”said the guard's wife.
“Mas alaga nga niya ngayon katawan niya eh. Hindi na masyado kumakain ng kanin, bantay sarado na cholesterol niya. Kaya nga siya payat ngayon eh.
David also allots more time polishing his shooting at their village court in Quezon City.
“Aware din ako (sa mga negative comments), nasasaktan ako pero sabi lang ni Gary sa akin: ‘Ganun talaga, hayaan mo lang. Professional naman ako. Okay lang sa akin yan,” Jenn said.
“Pero natutuwa ako kay Gary kasi nakikita ko mas nagiging motivated siya. Saka knowing Gary, alam ko babawi siya."
Jenn said David is more motivated than ever to keep his place in the Gilas team ahead of its stint in the Fiba World Cup in Spain and the Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea.
But Jenn said she won't feel bad even if David loses his place to teammate Jared Dillinger.
“Wala, hindi ako natatakot kung mapalitan siya sa Gilas. Pool naman yun eh. Kasi kami kung papalitan nila, okay naman. Saka si Jared teammate niya yun, kaya no hard feelings sila,” she said.
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