EL GRANADA EXPLODES
In danger of going to a winner-take-all Game 3 for the last ticket to the semifinals, Meralco’s Gary David knew he had to do something.
NLEX built a 20-point lead near the end of the third and David slowly watched as his teammates tried to claw their way back to the game before the period ended. After three, the score read, 66-53.
“Inisip lang namin ‘Don’t stop playing.’ Dumepensa lang kami at magcreate ng magandang opensa, makakahabol kami. Mahirap pag umabot pa ng Game 3 kasi yung momentum, lilipat na sa kanila,” he said.
Then, El Granada went to work.
Jumpers, drives, free throw shots, and of course, booming treys, David captained a 29-point fourth quarter to give the Bolts a chance to win the game and book a date with Rain or Shine in the semifinals.
He then continued his imprint in the overtime period as Meralco entered its first Final Four under coach Norman Black by beating sister team NLEX, 91-85.
“Ginawa lang namin yung tama at fortunately, yung mga tira namin, na-shoot at di sila nakaka-convert,” said David, as he finished with a game-high 31 points to go with five rebounds and three assists in the come-from-behind overtime victory.
Limited to just 13 points in Game 1, the Bataan pride adjusted well to the defense given to him by NLEX and showed why he’s one of the most lethal scorers in the game.
“Nachallenge ako nung Game 1. Pinaghandaan ko lang. Sabi naman ni coach Norman, ‘Whatever it takes to take the W, gawin mo.’ Di sya nawalan ng kumpyansa sa akin,” said David, also pointing out that it was their defense which made this win possible.
“Ang key ng panalo sa game na ito ay depensa. Kahit nalamangan kami, di kami sumuko. Sinunod namin yung gameplans at nagadjust si coach ng halftime,” he said.
David added, “Saludo din ako sa import namin na si Josh (Davis) kasi di sya sumuko kahit nasa-stop sya. Naglaro lang sya. Ginawa lang namin yung laro namin, nothing fancy kaya nakabalik kami at nanalo.”
More than anything, David is hoping that the fans are now taking notice of Meralco as a contender.
“Alam naman natin ang Meralco maraming galit minsan dahil mataas ang kuryente. Pero sa larangan ng sports, kailangan talagang respetuhin ang Meralco. Laro-laro lang.” (RL)
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