EVEN as the defending UAAP champions, doubts were cast on La Salle in terms of one tantalizing setback in their roster ahead of their Season 86 title-retention bid: losing their veteran point guards.
Losing senior stars Evan Nelle and Mark Nonoy led to a quick search for the Green Archers’ new lead playmaker as soon-to-be Green Archers Kean Baclaan and Jacob Cortez serve their residency year.
They didn't have to look too far as Taft’s on-the-rise sophomore guard Joshua David took on such a pressure-packed role in stride.
Worry not, says David, as he took the best time to come to life with a heroic shooting night in La Salle’s 68-54 victory over University of the Philippines to end the first round in style and as the new league leaders.
The six-foot guard went four-of-six from downtown to cap his season-best 14-point night on top of seven boards and two dimes.
PHOTO: Sherwin Vardeleon
Seeing 19:58 minutes of playing time on average in Round 1, David racked up five points, 6.14 rebounds, 4.6 assists and a steal per game in the defending champions’ 6-1 start to their title defense.
And whenever he’s tasked to man the Green Archers’ offense, he’ll always be ready to heed the call of duty.
"Alam din namin ‘yan, kumbaga, na isang possible weakness namin ‘yung point guard position," David admitted.
"Ginawa lang din akong point guard last season, pero ‘yung maganda kasi sa’min, kahit sino pwede eh. Kahit sino pwedeng magbaba ng bola sa’min, lalo na sa plays namin.
"Ready lang talaga lagi lahat sa’min, kahit sino, para at least kung sino bunutin sa amin, may ipapakita."
David’s transition to the point guard role wasn’t a process he had to go through alone, more so as he continues to make up for lost time after he was struck with an ACL injury in 2022 that held back his supposed rookie debut by a full season.
And it was his former seniors Nelle and Nonoy who made sure he’ll soon find his footing and hold on to it with ease.
"Nu’ng una, siyempre sobrang hirap, pero salamat lang din talaga sa tulong ng mga point guards din namin dati. Marami akong natutunan from them, lalo na kay Evan talaga.
PHOTO: Sherwin Vardeleon
"Si Evan naman talaga ‘yung kumbaga sobrang solid na point guard nung last season eh. Kahit naman ngayon, gina-guide niya pa rin ako, kinakamusta niya ko.
"Pero kahit ako lang naman natira (sa point guard role), marami pa naman kami sa team. Marami pa namang natirang veterano, sila Mike (Phillips), sila KQ (Kevin Quiambao), at basta need pa rin naming mag-jell pa sa team."
2024-10-07T08:12:56Z