NCAA: Nostalgic experience as Hayes, David don college jerseys

Gary David (left_ and Marvin Hayes. Photo by Randolph B. Leongson

It’s no longer an unusual sight seeing former stars come back to their alma mater.

But it’s still a huge honor for active PBA players like Gary David and Marvin Hayes to represent their schools in the Shooting Stars competition of the NCAA All-Star on Friday.

Donning their school’s colors for the first time in a long time, the brief stint was a humbling and nostalgic experience for the two.

“Masaya ako na nakasuot ulit ako ng Lyceum jersey kahit All-Star lang,” said David, who wore his old number 13 jersey as he competed alongside Shaq Alanes and Junior Pirate Mac Guadana.

Though the Lyceum team failed to win the contest, David was elated to give back to his school in his own little way, representing it and hoisting the Pirates’ flag high and proud.

“Syempre, dito tayo nanggaling. Utang ko yung career ko sa Lyceum. Kung hindi dahil sa kanila, hindi ako makakapasok sa PBA,” the San Miguel shooter said.

David is already doing his part by helping hone the new generation of Pirates as an assistant coach to Topex Robinson.

“Ang sinasabi ko lang kung ano man yung sa practice, do it right. Kailangan i-treat nila as game yung practice. Yung kumpyansa nila, wag mawawala. Di bale na mawala ang kumpyansa ng iba, basta yung sa sarili nila, di mawawala,” he said.

Hayes also shares the same sentiment as he wore the blue and gold of JRU for the first time in almost a decade.

“Masaya after seven years, nakabalik ako sa NCAA. Namiss ko yung court, lahat. Masayang masaya ako sa pagkakataon,” he said, as the GlobalPort bruiser competed and won the contest alongside Darius Estrella and Cadell Buno.

Despite his hectic schedule, Hayes still keeps tabs with the progress of the Heavy Bombers in the NCAA.

“Nanonood ako. Every game naman, binibigyan ako ng ticket ni sir Paul (Supan) kaso syempre may practice o di kaya mag-aalaga ng bata sa bahay. Lagi kami kinocontact ni Sir Paul para suportahan naman yung team,” he said, adding that he has plans of bringing in other alumni to JRU’s future games. “Napaguusapan naman namin nila John Wilson, James Sena, pero yung iba nahihiya din pumunta. Napaguusapan naman ng grupo, and one of these days siguro, pupunta kami para sumuporta.”

Hayes, though, wants to tell the current crop of the Heavy Bombers to keep their heads up despite what has been a shaky season for them.

“Lahat naman ng team, dumadaan sa struggle. Test of character yan at dyan malalaman kung hanggang saan nila kakayanin,” he said. “Maganda nga yung nangyari na nanalo sila sa San Beda kasi tataas yungkumpyansa nila sa second round. Kailangan yung remaining games nila, maipanalo nila para umabot sila sa Final Four.”