Gary David adjusting to coaching role in Lyceum

Gary David observes from the bench of the Lycuem Pirates. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

As a lethal scorer, Gary David is still trying to come to terms with the fact that as an assistant coach for the Lyceum Pirates, his role in the team’s wins is limited.

From the bench where he cannot rally his team to victories with the ball in his hands, David can only guide his players.

“Minsan, gusto mo nasa yo na lang yung bola at ikaw ang magpanalo sa team. Pero ang magagawa mo na lang, ipagkatiwala sa players yung laro at i-remind mo na lang sila sa mga dapat nilang gawin,” he said.

(Sometimes, you want to have the ball and lead the team to the victory. But the only thing you can do is to entrust the game to the players and remind them of what they need to do.)

But David admits that victories are just sweet even when he is just manning the sidelines.

“Masarap manalo bilang coach. Masarap na maganda yung naging desisyon nila kaya nanalo yung team (It’s a great feeling to win as a coach. It’s good to know that the players’ decisions turned out to be for the better of the team.),” said David.

It’s quite an interesting set up for the Bataan native, who is still actively playing with the Meralco Bolts.

But David said that his role in coach Topex Robinson’s coaching staff is just a minimal one.

“Wala namang pressure sa coaching staff. Sabi lang nila pag may free time ako, pumunta ako (There’s no pressure in this coaching staff, they just told me that if I have a free time, I can come.),” he said.

And if there’s something David can share to the new generation of Pirates, tha is to think of their alma mater first over anything.

“Magsakripisyo muna sila. Maglaro sila para sa school at hindi para sa sarili. Ganun ang ginawa ko at dun lahat magsisimula yun (They should make sacrifices. They should play for the school first over themselves. That’s what I did and that’s where everything will start for them.),” he said. CFC