La Salle’s Joshua David embraces the ‘next man up’ mentality as he unleashes his best against once-unbeaten UP in their Finals rematch.
La Salle’s Joshua David came up big time against the UP Fighting Maroons, scoring a season-high 14 points built on a 67 percent shooting clip (4 out of 9) from downtown, as his Green Archers closed out their first-round campaign with a statement 68-56 win over their Season 86 Finals opponents.
From averaging just 3.5 points in six games played, David was the Archers’ second-leading scorer against the UP Fighting Maroons, just behind reigning MVP Kevin Quiambao who produced a game-high 20 points as La Salle ended UP’s unbeaten run.
David also snagged seven rebounds and was a game-high +16 in nearly 22 minutes on the court for the Archers. But for him, it’s just a matter of staying ready for the team, given his role as part of La Salle’s supporting cast.
“Hindi ko sinasayang ‘yung opportunity na binibigay ng coaching staff sa akin. Kumbaga, sobrang bonus na lang din if higitan ko pa ‘yung role ko. Parang ‘yun lang, parang lahat naman kami ready palagi eh. Kung sino huhugutin samin, magsi-step up,” David said.
Stepping up has been a prominent theme in Joshua David’s DLSU career. The former LSGH guard willingly transitioned into a point guard last season, given the Archers’ lack of depth at the position. It was a tall task, but David patiently learned from his coaches and the likes of Evan Nelle and Mark Nonoy in Taft.
While he’s a fourth-year player, David lost two years to an ACL tear and is only playing his second UAAP season. Despite this, he’s now one of La Salle’s vets following the graduations of Nelle, Nonoy, Francis Escandor, Joaqui Manuel, and Ben Phillips last season.
“So alam ko naman din ‘yun, pero madami din nag-graduate samin, kumbaga need lang namin i-guide ‘yung mga bago…Pero madami pa naman kami, madami pa naman din natitirang beterano, sila Mike [Phillips], KQ [Kevin Quiambao],” he said.
The Archers ended the first round with a 6-1 record which also secured them the top seed over UP. Despite being crucial in Sunday’s win, David is already moving on from his season-best outing against the Maroons.
“Siguro, syempre, malaking boost din. Pero gaya nga ng sabi ni KQ kanina, wala na ‘to, tapos na ‘to eh. So focus na lang kami sa second round,” David said.
He also acknowledged La Salle’s need to improve heading into the final round of eliminations.
“Magandang baon ito [win over UP] papuntang second round samin, pero kung titignan niyo parang ang dami pa naming errors eh. So kailangan, second round matama namin ‘yung mga errors pa namin. Kasi parang alam naman natin sa second round ‘di ba game of adjustment na ‘yan eh,” he said.
Banner image courtesy of the UAAP Media Bureau.