UAAP: ‘Big brother’ Joshua David inspires La Salle’s finals return

La Salle’s Joshua David during a UAAP Final Four game against Adamson.–UAAP PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Behind La Salle’s return to the UAAP Finals is Joshua David’s inspiring story and leadership for the defending champion Green Archers.

La Salle, which hardly missed a beat despite a 17-day break, inched a series closer to a successful title retention bid after routing Adamson, 70-55, in the Final Four on Saturday evening at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Mike Phillips, who scored eight points on top of eight rebounds and five steals, said the Green Archers are offering this season to the graduating David.

READ: UAAP: La Salle back in the Finals vs UP, ousts Adamson

“Josh is someone who I personally draw a lot of inspiration from. Ever since I first came to La Salle, he was that kuya to me. And we all personally got to witness his fight and his struggle with his injuries.  We all remember that. And, you know, Josh’s time may come and he may pass in La Salle but what he’s leaving behind is going to stay for years and years to come,” Phillips expressed after La Salle arranged a finals rematch with University of the Philippines, which held off University of Santo Tomas in the other Final Four matchup.

The fourth-year big man said that David, whose early collegiate stint was derailed by an ACL injury, has always been one of their best shooters but he always chose to be unselfish and share the ball with his teammates.

“I’m not sure if he realizes that, but every little thing he does is part of our culture. He’s the one that, you know, he’s going to fist bump every single player. He’s going to talk to every single player, checking on everybody. He’s just like the big brother of the team,” Phillips said.

“When I’m really down in those down moments, if I have my own personal struggles, my own personal injuries, I look to kuya Josh and he’s always smiling. I never see this guy mad or sad and he just always has a smile on his face. He’s really just been that bright spot for us.”

David, who had 11 points against Adamson, will always be grateful to the Green Archers for giving him a collegiate career to remember. 

READ: UAAP: Top seed La Salle has no plans of slowing down

“Sobrang thankful lang din. Hindi naman namin makuha or ako na umabot sa finals kung hindi dahil sa kanila. Dahil din sa tulong nila, sa chemistry namin, sa bonding namin. Lahat, nagtulong tulong kami,” David told Inquirer Sports.

David has been a thorn in the Fighting Maroons’ side dating back to Game 2 of last year’s championship series. La Salle is currently riding a four-game winning streak against UP.

“Siyempre, knowing na natalo namin or maganda laro namin noon.  Pero siyempre, kumbaga zero-zero ulit. So coming to this game sa finals, need namin magprepare talaga. Talagang solid din yung UP,” David said. 

“Lahat naman kami bibigay na talaga yung best.Kasi last na yan. Tulad na sinabi ni Kevin Quiambao, baka may pag sisihan pa kami sa huli. So lahat na talaga, wala ng regrets.”