SUMMER PLAY AT SM with GILAS PILIPINAS
FIBA WORLD CUP LOCAL AMBASSADOR “EL GRANADA”. Gary Ocampo David, a former GILAS PILIPINAS Player who is known to be one of the GILAS Legends answered all the questions from the students of the University of the Cordilleras and also encourage the players to be inspired by their loved ones being a good players, you must discipline yourself and keep practicing to make improve the way your techniques in playing basketball. During the Meet and Greet event Summer Play at SM with Gilas Pilipinas hosted by Ms. Laurinne Armetiza “LA” N. Serafin – Professional Event Host held at Level 2, SM City Baguio on June 10, 2023. Photo by: Mario Oclaman // FNS
BAGUIO CITY – (June 10, 2023) A team of basketball players from the University of the Cordilleras was given the opportunity to meet and ask questions to Gary Ocampo David, a former GILAS PILIPINAS Player who is known to be one of the GILAS Legends, stands 6’2” ft. and is 44 y.o. he is the famous Filipino professional basketball player who last played for the Bataan Risers of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL). He is a five-time All-Star and co-holds the longest streak for consecutive games recording 20 points or more. Famously known as “El Granada” or “Mr. Pure Energy”, he is widely hailed by fans and Hall of Famers as one of the best scorers of all time in the PBA.
David talked about his experiences in playing basketball, the worst and best experience where he was injured in 2004 and in 2006 was injured for almost 8 months without playing, and when he got back to playing again, he did his good performance, but when there is a time to get injured, it is important to have a good friend to advise you, because once you get injured, you really need to focus on therapy, David was hit by two consecutive years of injury.
“My best experience is when I was selected by the PBA through my achievement of becoming a national player because I also dreamed of playing for our country, I have to do it because I love and I promise to show support for our country’s victory,” David said.
In his message to the players “Ang lagi kong ina-advise sa mga nag aspire na maging player, once na pupunta kayo mag training ng laro ay kailangan excited kayo may matutunan, excited bantayan yun pinakamagaling nyo team mate, excited kayo ma-improved, kailangan ang self-learning, may extra time kayo, yun works ethics nyo kailangan mataas, nasa maayos na level lagi yan, workout palakasin ang mga legs, pero ang pinaka importante ay yun pahinga, kailangan may pahinga rin at yun tamang pagkain at ang unang una ay magkaron kayo ng inspirasyon niyo sa buhay, kailangan I set nyo ang goal niyo na mayron kayo inspirasyon na gustong tulungan, pagmamahal sa magulang inspirasyon niyo sa inyong kasintahan at alagaan ang sarili, iwasan ang magpuyat, iwasan ang mga bisyo lalo na ang paninigarilyo dahil malakas makapanghina sa katawan yan, lalo na ang drugs huwag na huwag kayo gumamit niyan pinagbabawal na gamot, pwede naman uminom pero huwag lang sobra dahil kadalasan pag nasobrahan sa alak ay mararamdaman mo yan sa training, madali kang mapagod at hindi mo matatapos ang training, walang pupuntahan talaga kapag naging addicted ka na sa alcohol, mapag iiwanan ka sa training, kaya kung totoong may pangarap ka at interesado na maging professional na basketball player, iwasan ang makakasama sa katawan mo. Mag exercise lagi kahit isang oras lang malaking bagay na yan sa katawan mo,”
“Anuman ang mangyari, ibigay lamang ang lahat ng ating makakaya para makamit ang tagumpay sa larangan ng basketball,”
“Sa inyo mga players good luck, hopefully magkita-kita tayo sa Manila at hangad ko na umasenso kayo sa larangan ng basketball, lapitan niyo lang ako at magpakilala kayo, proud na proud na ko dahil nagkasama tayo ngayon dito sa Baguio City, Maraming maraming salamat sa inyo,”
In an interview with David, he said, “So far, naglabas na sila ng 21 non-polio pero yun iba medyo may mga injuries, pero na process naman maganda naman yun mga pakiramdam nila pagdating nitong August na FIBA WORLD CUP siguro full aired na yun mga players natin. Yun sa nilabas nilang 21 lined up ay yun talaga ang best natin primary mix ng bata, professional at mga amateur eto ngayon ang pinaghahandaan namin,” David concluded. Mario Oclaman //FNS
