Gilas Pilipinas teammates expect ‘El Granada’ explosion from slumping Gary David

FIBA Asia/Nuki Sabio
Gary David has been missing in action for the Philippine national men’s basketball team.

In his first three games in the FIBA Asia Championship, the reigning PBA scoring champion has been on a shooting slump, averaging just two points and going scoreless in his last two matches.

He is shooting a miserable 11 percent from the field and has missed all seven of his three-point shots so far.

But his Gilas Pilipinas teammates have not lost faith on the GlobalPort hotshot.

“I think it’s only a matter of time,” Jeff Chan told InterAKTV in an exclusive interview.

“Dadating naman yan dahil alam naming lahat kung ano kayang gawin ni Gary. Kailangan lang huwag siyang manggigil at dapat nasa sistema pa rin yung gagawin niya.”

David and Chan are expected to provide the perimeter firepower for Gilas along with Larry Fonacier, who also believes that the Philippine basketball’s “El Granada” is due for an explosion.

“We all know what Gary can do. We have faith in his capability. It’s not a matter of if, it’s a matter of when,” said Fonacier.

Chan and Fonacier have both had their moments in the tournament. Chan top-scored in the win over Jordan with 17 points of Friday, while Fonacier sizzled for 21 in the team’s heartbreaking loss to Chinese Taipei on Saturday.

Gilas coach Chot Reyes hopes David is next in line.

“Si ‘Granada’ na lang,” Reyes said. “Ako rin inaantay ko rin yung pag-explode niya. I hope it’s only a matter of time. That’s why he’s here.”