The Final Score: An all-star challenge for Gary David

Gary David wonders, always. He has the skills. He has the moves. He has the numbers. Yet even if Powerade's super-scorer can torch a team for 42 points, he is still not in the same mythical stratosphere like as Mark Caguioa. Nakapagtataka nga.   How does a PBA player earn reverence? By averaging 21 points per game in the Philippine Cup? By scoring at least 25 points six times during the tournament? By being a scoring champion? By averaging 19 points per game in the last six years? By being one of PBA's the most dangerous guards in the last decade? By being Gary David? "Minsan pakiramdam ko kahit ano gawin ko, kulang," David laments. Caguioa is revered by his fans in ways David can only imagine. When David was not included in last season's All-Star Game in Boracay, his fans didn't flood Twitter with complaints. They didn't overwhelm Facebook with the wrath of scorned believers. If someone prevents Caguioa from joining this season's Veterans All-Star team, I can imagine the repercussions. But I won't. Nakakatakot. Is Gary, therefore, the Anti-Kulotskidoodle?   "Sinasabi sa akin lagi, tignan ko si Mark Caguioa, laging napapansin," David says. It's a critique on David. Because he is not marketable like Caguioa. Because he doesn't play around with hairstyles like Caguioa. Because he can't move the Big Dome like Caguioa. Because he won't have a Barangay behind him like Caguioa.   But when the PBA quarterfinals start, David won't worry about Caguioa and the reverence Mark commands. In fact, David's concerns will be greater than Caguioa's. Ginebra meets Rain or Shine in a best-of-three series. Powerade, on the other hand, must beat B-MEG in two straight games in order to advance. Yes top seed B-MEG. With former MVP James Yap. With Grand Slam Coach Tim Cone. And the imperfect triangle offense that runs like clockwork.  With six wins and eight losses, Powerade doesn't intimidate. Off-season aspirations for early success are gone. As if the new Tigers are back to being the old Tigers. Underdogs again. Another tournament hangs in the balance. Elimination haunts like a fast-approaching deadline. Even with Gary David scoring points like Gary David. "Kaya daw hindi ako napapansin kasi yung team ko lagi nasa baba na hindi ko daw madala pataas," David, who entered the PBA in 2004, shares. "Yan ang lagi ko naririnig." Well, Gary, immortality beckons. A challenge fit for an all-star awaits. Even with Marcio Lassiter and Jvee Casio by your side, few will give Powerade a chance. El Granada, your moment has arrived. Beat B-MEG twice and coaches, players, fans will never look at you the same way again. Beat James Yap twice and we'll all stop talking about Caguioa's curly hair. I promise. Bring Powerade to the semi-finals, no matter how impossible it might sound, and Gary David will not just become a PBA All-Star again, Gary David will become a PBA legend for always. — GMA News