WITHOUT a doubt, David Licauco’s new role might be his most daring and physically demanding project yet.
Cameras are still involved, but there will be no dialogue, and the genre is action, ten whole minutes of it.
His latest project? The inaugural Pilipinas United 3x3 League.
READ: Internet star Malupiton savors baller era with PUL 3x3
Licauco played for Taho Story, a local business that itself also came into fruition to fund the basketball aspirations of its owners.
Originally just their brand ambassador, Licauco jumped at the opportunity to test his skills on the hardwood on a higher difficulty level.
“It's a privilege,” Licauco said. “Itong pagbabasketball yung pangarap ko noong bata ako.”
“Im really grateful sa Taho Story and kila Anton Altamirano for letting me play here. Actually, yesterday nga, kinakabahan ako”
Licauco’s debut game in the maiden league left the Kapuso star wishing for a different result, as they suffered a 12-18 defeat against Japanese team SBB where he went scoreless.
As Licauco explained to SPIN.ph, he entered the halfcourt with less practice than he would have preferred, citing a scheduled taping of action scenes the day before as the reason.
But even when he personally felt like the odd man out, Licauco was far from willing to back down from the opponents he faced.
“At some point, naisip ko na ‘bakit ako nandito?’, sa totoo lang. These guys, ito yung trabaho nila. Tapos ako, hindi naman ito yung trabaho ko. Definitely, maraming disconnect dun.”
“To be honest, feel ko yung sarili ko yung kalaban ko eh. Kahit naman sino na makapaglaro sa ganitong level na hindi ‘yun yung talagang bread and butter mo, talagang maninibago ka. But at this point, I joined here, I have to show up,” he added
Younger Ginoo would be smiling right now
The initial plan was for Licauco to only play one game, a more appropriate gesture for someone fitting of the ‘celebrity guest player’ status.
But he wasn’t here for a small cameo. This commitment meant much, much more.
“The reason why I played here is because I really wanted to fulfill my dream and become a basketball player," he said.
“Bumalik ‘yung feeling noong bata ako. It’s something na I’m really really excited for."
Even though his first chance at fulfilling his dream came at a stage where he felt that he wasn’t at the level that the rest of the league was at, Licauco embraced the opportunity, leaving it all out on the floor.
“Ganun naman sa buhay, diba. Kailangan natin simulan at itry. And if you fail, you have to keep on going.”
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