TOKYO, Japan (4th FIBA Asia Cup): For PBA’s star shooter Gary David, the first three days of the 4th FIBA Asia Cup has been about sacrifices. The 34-year-old shooting guard, who averaged 25.8 points per game in the 2011-12 PBA Season, during which he led Powerade Tigers to the Finals of the All Philippine Cup, has had a rather quiet start in his maiden FIBA Asia competition.

“In the PBA all the plays are around me. Therefore I get more of the touches and the shots,” he said in a conversation with this website after Philippines’ second win in the competition on Sunday.

“But here I have to share the ball with my teammates. I have to make some sacrifices. But I don’t mind that at all since I am playing for my country and it’s an honor,” he added.

Be it for the Powerade or the RP, the interest of the team weighs higher than any other for Gary David.

“It doesn’t matter how many points I score as long as the team wins,” said David who a set a PBA new record of scoring 30-plus points in six successive games.

“Yes it’s quite thrilling to be able to contribute to the team’s scoring, but if it means that team can win only if I take a backseat, I am quite happy to do that,” he added.

Dwelling on the major differences between playing the PBA and an official competition, David said that the biggest adjustment was in terms of the rules.

“It’s quite funny at times, when we don’t adjust to the rules,” said David who committed four travelling violations in Philippines’ win against Lebanon the other night, by taking that ‘extra’ step during a lay-up which is allowed in the PBA.

“But life is all about learning. And I am quite enjoying my time here,” he signed off.

S Mageshwaran / FIBA Asia