David struts PBA Draft stuff to lead Montaña

With the PBA annual draft just around the corner, expect some aspirants to play it safe. But not Gary David.

The 25-year-old David, one of the hopefuls in next week’s rookie draft, sizzled with 22 points as he powered Montaña Pawnshop to a 79-67 rout of ICTSI—La Salle yesterday that kept Jewels’ semifinal bid alive in the PBL Platinum Cup at the Pasig Sports Center.

All it took for the Dinalupihan, Bataan native was an 11-point third quarter splurge that got the Jewels going and four crucial points in the stretch that finished off the Archers for good.

"Hindi ko na iniisip kung makukuha ba ako sa PBA o hindi, basta ang nasa utak ko lang ay madala ang Montaña sa semifinals," said David, expected to be picked in the first round either by FedEx or Red Bull Barako.

It was indeed another explosive game dished out by David, who helped the Jewels notch their fifth victory against six defeats that moved them closer to 2003 Unity Cup titlist Fash Liquid Power (5-5).

"The key was we maintained our focus down the stretch," said Montaña coach Bong Go after snapping the team’s five-game losing skein.

Viva Mineral Water likewise stayed in the hunt for the last semis berth as it stunned defending champion Welcoat, 77-71, for its fourth win against seven losses.

It was the Paint Masters’ third loss in 11 games.

For a while, it appeared that Montaña was going to have a difficult time stopping ICTSI as veteran Dino Aldeguer scattered 17 of his 26 points in the first period that saw the Archers grab a 22-21 lead.

After yielding the half, 37-40, ICTSI seized another 44-43 lead on a pair of free throws by Joseph Yeo but David nailed two triples, sparking a blistering third quarter run and giving the momentum back to Montaña.

After scoring only two points in the middle quarters, Aldeguer hit two straight baskets as the Archers moved within three, 64-67, before David took charge again to spark another 12-3 Montaña run.