a basketball post

through sms yesterday

draiye: jen! may gwapo na player ang u.p. #15. di ko pa nakikita name niya.

me: nestor david. 5th year nya na. philo ang course. he’s the team captain. and a very nice guy.

draiye: grabe! wala ka pa rin kupas. you still know the players. he’s really cute ha. sige, hanapin ko yung crush mo dito.

crush wouldn’t mind if he takes a backseat for this post. after all, he has four more years to go in the uaap. this is my sort of tribute to nestor david who played his last game yesterday as collegiate ball player. he’s one of the nice guys who played in the uaap. i don’t know him personally, but according to my sources and commentators, he’s a gentleman. i remember the 2nd round match between u.p. and ateneo when u.p. threatened a walk-out because of bad officiating and throwing coach lipa out of the court. david was the one mediating between the u.p. coaching staff and referees. he had the cooler head that time when everyone around him would like to strangle the refs and kill the ateneo camp (coz that’s also what I felt that time. hahaha.). and for that i truly admire him. he plays with his heart and intensity. he plays clean and never hurt any player for that matter. of course, there was a time when he and asoro of nu trash talked and nearly got it on. but after the game, they shook hands and went on with their lives. he always looked out for his teammates. he was like this big brother always ready to help out the young ones. he is a good power forward too. he has perfected his medium range shot and doing the “ballet” in the shaded lane. he is also one of the few big men who can dribble and bring down the ball during a full court press.

yesterday was the only time i saw him goofy in the playing court. he was always to serious during a game. yesterday, he was a having blast. the first few times he scored he would look at the u.p. crowd and bench and smile from ear to ear while trying to do a silly dance. he even joked with the referees and smiled at a foul or any call that came his way last night. it was nice seeing him that way. even sev sarmenta (commentator for that game) saw the different intensity and “fun” in how david was playing. he was savoring every minute of it. i guess he wanted to his last game to be memorable. and it truly was coz they won against ue even if it has no bearing in the standings already. it’s kinda sad when i realize that he won’t be at the up roster next year. he’s one of u.p.’s best players. and okay, he’s also cute. hahaha. edward even calls him babyface because he doesn’t look his age.

so, i guess this is the part i say thanks to you nestor david. thanks for being part of the u.p. fighting maroons who i support and rant at the same time in some occasions. hehehe. thanks for giving it your all every game. thanks for always playing with your heart. thanks for being a nice guy. there’s nowhere else to go but up for you. there’s pbl come october or novemeber? and hopefully, get drafted in the pba next year. kudos to you!


*photo courtsey of rpsports.com