Gary David could only marvel at raucous chants of “Gary! Gary!” by San Miguel fans when he checked in late in the Beermen’s game against Phoenix Sunday night.
It had been a while since the veteran PBA scoring guard last heard such chants, and he was quick to appreciate the moment when he experienced it anew.
“Kinilabutan ako kanina. Naalala ko yung time na nasa Gilas ako noong sinisigaw ng SMB fans yung pangalan ko. Nagpapasalamat ako sa pagtanggap nila sa akin. Yung adjustment ko, mapapadali talaga,” David said of the chants which reminded him of the moment he had during the 2013 FIBA Asia Championship in Manila when he received the same support.
Picked as an unrestricted free agent, David did not even thought of being fielded in the game as San Miguel already had a game plan against the Fuel Masters before he arrived over the weekend.
“Expected ko naman yun (na hindi ako ipapasok). Thankful lang ako kay coach Leo (Austria) na yung binigay niya sa akin yung pagpasok, at least naka-contribute agad. Basta sabi ko, kung gagamitin ako, ready lang. Kahapon lang kasi ako nag-practice sa kanila, nag-scrimmage,” David, who scored two points in a brief stint, shared.
“Gary is not yet adapted to the system. His first two practices, may game preparation na kami (against Phoenix). But I am sure, he is an asset to the team,” Beermen head coach Leo Austria added.
David even admitted he already conditioned himself to think his career was over, just to be prepared for the inevitable.
“Ang totoo niyan, sinet ko na sa isip ko na baka tapos na yung career ko para baka sakaling walang kumuha sa akin, hindi ako ma-disappoint. Kaya yun yung sinet ko noong wala akong team. Tapos nagkaroon ako ng tawag sa SMB,” David recalled.
But Austria had other plans for David. Even with a stacked shooting guard rotation which includes Marcio Lassiter and Ronald Tubid, Austria said having a veteran like David is a big help, especially if others struggle.
“Yun ang importance having Gary in the team. Noong first quarter, kamuntikan na nga ako mag-panic dahil off si Marcio (Lassiter) so pwede ko na sana siya ipasok pero alam ko na mangangapa pa siya. Mayroon pamg adjustment period. But with this game, with the attitude, I think welcome na welcome siya,” Austria shared.
David said reuniting with some of the Beermen had played with for various teams in the past, like Lassiter (Powerade), Arwind Santos (Air21), and June Mar Fajardo (Gilas Pilipinas), speeds up the adjustment process.
“Hindi ako masyado nag-worry. Nabilang ko agad yung mga former teammates ko. Hindi ako nag-worry kung mapupunta man ako sa San Miguel,” he said.
With another opportunity given to him, David said he will cherish the break; he is in no hurry to get big minutes, and his main goal is just to help the team in any way possible while also gunning for something he has not yet achieved in his 12-year PBA career: a championship.
“Alam niya kung anong role niya sa team. Hindi siya nag-e-expect ng playing time dahil he has to earn it,” Austria said.
“Ito na yung talagang tsansa sa dream ko na mag-champion bago mag-retire. Gagawin ko na lahat. Yung mga players, talented talaga. Ako, kung ano lang ibibigay sa akin na role dito para makatulong sa kanila, yun ang gagawin ko,” David added.
