Tigers get Gary David back in 4-player trade

Gary David, a player with tiger pedigree, is returning to Coca-Cola in the Year of the Tiger. With 2010 just four days old, the Tigers made a swift and decisive move in landing David back to their fold and acquiring another quality guard in Chico Lanete during the Philippine Basketball Association’s long holiday break.

But getting David, a 6’2 big guard who's become one of the PBA’s best all-around players, and Lanete, a dependable quarterback, had Coca-Cola paying the heavy price of unloading ace guard Alex Cabagnot and swingman Wesley Gonzales. “It’s so hard to let Alex go," Coca-Cola coach Bo Perasol told GMANews.TV. "Parang extension ko ‘yan sa loob ng court. Alam na niya agad ang gagawin niya. It’s not that we don’t want Alex but every team that is talking to us wants him. Siya lang ang player na malaki ang trade value," But Perasol explained David is certainly a welcome addition to his struggling squad. “Yes, the purpose of getting David is to look for somebody who will play 30-35 minutes and will average 15 to 20 points a game. We need a consistent player at the big guard spot," he said. It will be a homecoming of sorts for both David and Gonzales, who will be returning to their first professional teams. David was a member of the Coca-Cola champion team in 2003 under coach Chot Reyes while Gonzales was picked originally by the Lina Group franchise in the 2004-2005 season. Like Coca-Cola, Burger King also had difficulty unloading David, who has become so close to the Lina Group franchise. “We, in the company are like family and Gary, who has been with us for quite some time now, is like a family member. So it’s hard to let go of him. But I believe Gary will have a better opportunity with Coca-Cola the same thing as Alex will have his opportunity with us," said Burger King governor Lito Alvarez. The entry of Cabagnot on the Whopper side could be their best remedy to fill up the huge void left by Wynne Arboleda, who was suspended for the rest of the season due to a mauling incident with a Smart-Gilas fan. Since losing Arboleda, the team has struggled and now faces the danger of being eliminated early for the first time in three seasons. The Tigers, on the other hand, have languished at the bottom of the standings, winning only three games in 15 matches – just half a game better than tailender Barako Bull. – GMANews.TV