Filipino dunk artist David Carlos will have his work cut out for him as he takes on some of the world’s best dunkers in the 2019 FIBA 3X3 World Tour Masters in Doha.
And he had an epic three-week stretch to prepare him for the global meet.
It all started back on March 23.
During the NBTC All-Star festivities, the 5-foot-9 Filipino Dunk King figured in arguably the greatest dunk competition the country has ever seen, facing off against FIBA Under-17 World Cup MVP Jalen Green — who stands at 6-foot-6.
Exactly seven days later during the Grand Finals of the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3×3 President’s Cup, the product of UST took on the UAAP’s best dunker in Kobe Paras, who also stands at 6-foot-6.
To complete his stretch, the bronze medalist in the 2018 FIBA 3X3 World Cup was part of a heads-up showdown against Dunk King contestant Chris Staples, who is 6-foot-2, during the Chooks-to-Go 3×3 Asia Pacific Super Quest.
Though ending up with one win and two runner-up finishes, the 30-year-old relishes the experience of being part of such epic contests.
“No pressure sa akin yung past three weeks. This is the profession I am in,” expressed Carlos, who is known as ‘Air David’. “Malaking honor to face my good friend Kobe, the World’s MVP Jalen, and a triple-A dunker like Chris.
“Gusto ko pakita lang na kaya natin makipagsabayan sa high flyers ng buong mundo — na kaya ng Pilipino na umangat sa dakdakan.”
Carlos makes it look easy, making it seamless to throw down 360-degree jams or between-the-legs slams. However, each competition takes its toll on each competitors body — just ask Carlos.
“Sobrang pagod pero ginawa ko na motivation sila,” Carlos disclosed, recalling that stretch. “I’m eating right, extra session sa gym, and then rest. Hindi ganun kabilis yung recovery.
“Imagine, thirty-minutes lang yung competition pero yung legs namin after this, patay na patay. It’s going to take us two days to recover.”
The work though does not stop for Carlos.
Early Saturday morning (12:55 am, Manila time), Carlos will be competing in the dunk event of the World Tour Masters. Standing in his way are Europe’s finest in Vadim ‘Miller’ Poddubchenko of Ukraine and Joel Henry of Great Britain.
And to prepare for the competition, he looked back on his performances to see what he needs to adjust.
“Malaking bagay ito heading to Doha. At least nage-gauge ko sarili ko kung nasan ako at kung ano yung kailangan ko i-tweak,” he said.
Asked on why he continues to do this, the cager born and raised in Manila wants to inspire the next generation, sharing that the five-on-five game is not the only way to compete in basketball.
“Sobrang special nito. Alam naman natin na masikip ang scene ng basketball dito sa Pilipinas. Hopefully, ma-inspire ko yung mga bata na there are other avenues to make your mark sa basketball,” he shared.
“May it be sa 3×3, skills challenge, sa three-point shootout, or dito sa slam dunk competitions.”
