GlobalPort owner Mikee Romero Plans to Build the Team around Gary David

Only one member of the Powerade Tigers starting lineup from the team that made a Cinderella run to the Philippine Cup semifinals last season remains with the GlobalPort squad that bought the Coca-Cola franchise: Gary David. The Tigers traded Marcio Lassiter and Doug Kramer last season before the team was sold. GlobalPort has since dealt Sean Anthony on draft day and JVee Casio last month, leaving David all alone.
GlobalPort owner Mikee Romero says David, contrary to rumors, isn’t going anywhere.
“I want to build my team around Gary David, so why would I trade him?” said Romero.
“We will keep Gary and surround him with players who could help him out.”
The team owner, who is currently in the United States for a business trip, said the acquisition of two-time Most Valuable Player Willie Miller for Casio was a move to try to get more scoring help for Gary David.
Romero identified David, Miller, and former Rookie of the Year Rabeh Al-Hussaini as the core of the squad. “OK kami dito with these three players,” said Romero.
-Rey Joble, InterAKTV

Gary David , Mikee Romero , PBA , Willie Miller

Gary David Inspired with his Newest Baby Girl

With his wife about to deliver their third baby girl anytime soon, GlobalPort superstar guard Gary David is filled with inspiration in the days leading up to his stint with SMART-Gilas Pilipinas in the FIBA Asia Cup.

“Excited na nga ako,” David told InterAKTV. “Dagdag motivation sa akin ito sa Japan tournament namin.”

David and the rest of SMART-Gilas will leave for the tournament in Tokyo, Japan later this week, meaning he would have just a short chance to spend time with the newest member of his family, Lian Mariah Jaylaa David.

For him, it’s one of the things he has to give up for the honor of wearing the national colors. A renowned family man, he carries his family on his shoulder literally; on his right shoulder, he has a tattoo of his family, which he kisses before every free throw attempt to send a message of love to them.

“Sanay ako lagi na andyan yung pamilya ko. They’re always at the PBA games kaya yung malalayo sila sa akin, isa yun sa mga sakripisyo ko,” he said.

“Kaming mga players ng national team, alam namin na kailangan kaming magsakripisyo. May mga times na ngayon na nag-twice a day practice kami dahil bukod sa practice sa Gilas, may regular practice din kami sa mother teams naming. Pero sulit naman yung sakripisyo, lalo na nung nanalo kami ng Jones Cup.”

The 6-foot-2 pride of Lyceum said he plans to bring the image of Lian Mariah Jaylaa with him to Tokyo to serve as inspiration and motivation.

David is expected to once again play a key role for SMART-Gilas in the FIBA Asia Cup, like he did in the Jones Cup last month, when he came through with big baskets in the clutch to lift the Philippine team.

His SMART-Gilas stint caps an impressive banner year that saw him win the Best Player of the Conference plum in the Philippine Cup after leading the Powerade Tigers to a Cinderella run to the finals. He narrowly lost the Most Valuable Player award to Mark Caguioa despite leading the league once again in scoring. On Monday, the PBA Press Corps will fete David with the Scoring Champ award, a new citation created to honor his outstanding season.

-Rey Joble, InterAKTV

2012 Fiba Asia Cup , Gary David , Global Port , PBA , Smart Gilas