David believes new Gilas team can play with same 'Puso'

MANILA, Philippines -- Despite the controversial pullout of the players from the San Miguel Corporation group, Gilas veteran Gary David believes that the latest iteration of the national team still has what it takes to win the FIBA Asia Men's Championship. 

David is one of the five players returning from the last Gilas team along with captain Jimmy Alapag, Jason Castro, Ranidel de Ocampo, Gabe Norwood and naturalized big man Andray Blatche. 

While David struggled for the most part of his first Gilas tour of duty, the 37-year old Meralco gunner is approaching the new mission with a renewed confidence but humble enough to be open to any possibility, which included being cut before the FIBA Asia Men's Championship begins next month. 

"Bahala na sila (coaching staff and management) doon basta ako pag ma-lineup, lalaro ako pero pag hindi, okay lang at least naaya ako sa [national] pool. Para sa bayan naman 'to," David told Philstar.com. 

David overcame his struggles during Gilas' silver medal run in the last FIBA Asia tournament when he exploded in the quarterfinals against Kazakhstan for 22 points on 7-of-11 shooting including four triples. 

While there were drama that surrounded the formation of the new national pool, David is appealing to the fans to take it easy and reserve their judgment despite the pullouts of the vital cogs such as back-to-back PBA MVP June Mar Fajardo, Marc Pingris and LA Tenorio from the pool due to various reasons. Rather than dwelling on the what if's and what could have's, he is asking the fans to support the team no matter what. 

The national pool is now in Estonia hoping to build the same chemistry and bonding that fueled the last Gilas team's drive in the FIBA World Cup. 

"Siyempre, hindi madali na makukuha agad yung jelling (gaya nung last Gilas team) pero sa araw-araw na magkakasama kami, malamang magje-jell ng mabilis ang bagong team ngayon," David said. 

David along with his best buddy in the team Ranidel de Ocampo are the de factor entertainers in the team. During their six-hour layover in Turkey, David and De Ocampo choreographed their dubsmash video of the "Monkey off the back" at the airport. 

The new faces in the team are hungry while the returning international game veterans have a wealth of experience to share. 

"Itong (national) team kasi ngayon mix ng bagito at mga beterano eh. Tapos ang coach natin very experienced sa international game. Alam niya (coach Tab Baldwin) ang mga rules at style ng mga coaches o players ng ibang bansa," David said. 

Set to face their first acid test as team, David promised that they will represent the country with pride and same fervor as what the last Gilas team did. 

"Basta gagawin namin lahat tulad ng dating Gilas na nag-sakripisyo at lumaban na may puso," David said.