Facing former team lights fire under Gary David

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Facing Meralco for the first time since transferring to San Miguel, Gary David made a clear statement without talking smack against his former team.

Instead, David let his game do the talking.

“Extra motivation ko na kalaban ko sila. Kaya pagpasok na pagpasok ko talagang focused ako. Siyempre, may dagdag talaga yon para sa akin. Pinakita ko lang na kaya ko pang maglaro ng maganda at talagang binigyan din talaga ako ng time ni coach,” said David.

The 38-year-old David, who had a nasty split with the Bolts last conference, matched his conference-high 13 points in 20 minutes off the bench to help the San Miguel Beermen beat the Bolts, 110-106, Wednesday night

David said he already knew heading into the game that he was going to play significant minutes.

“Sa practice pa lang and siyempre player din si coach so alam niya rin yung mga ganoong bagay na nararamdaman ko kaya siguro binigyan niya ako ng minutes para makapagpakita ako sa former team ko at nagawa ko naman at nakapaglaro ako ng maayos,” he said.

The 12-year veteran also said his familiarity with Meralco, where he played for two and a half seasons, worked to his advantage.

“Kahit papaano familiar din ako sa mga players, araw-araw ko sila kasama so alam ko rin mga galaw nila. Kahit papaano, may tulong yon para sa akin sa pagdepensa. Pero kaibigan ko yung mga yon. Nagbibiruan kami sa loob. Si Jared, pag nakatira ako, sinasabi, ‘good shot’ so ganoon pa rin yung turingan namin sa isa’t-isa.

David cleared he now has no hard feelings towards his former team.

“Wala na. Nag-focus lang ako, nag-visualize lang ako na siyempre former team ko so all eyes on me.”