GlobalPort ships David to Meralco in four-player deal

MANILA, Philippines – Gary David finally got his wish of joining a team that can immediately contend for a title.

The GlobalPort Batang Pier sent David and rookie point guard AJ Mandani to the Meralco Bolts for Chris Ross, Chris Timberlake and two future (2017 and 2018) second round picks.

"I thought the deal is beneficial to both parties. We need a solid scorer and a veteran in Gary David while they are preparing for a solid future and they believe that Chris Ross holds the key," Meralco coach Ryan Gregorio told Philstar.com.

The 35-year-old former scoring champion will be joining the Bolts, who just finished third this conference, the franchise's best showing.

More than the additional firepower, Gregorio is banking on David's leadership and hunger to finally score the franchise's breakthrough championship.

"Gary gives us a legitimate scoring threat. He is great in transition, solid off-screen and he can manufacture his own points. His leadership can also help us in our desire to finish better than number 3 in the next conference. Despite his age, he has proven time and again that he still has a lot of good years ahead of him. We are happy to have him on-board," Gregorio said.

Ross, meanwhile, became expandable when the Bolts acquired veteran point guard Mike Cortez from Air21 in the middle of the Governors' Cup.

"It's hard also to part ways with Chris Timberlake but AJ Mandani can be a good back-up point guard too," Gregorio said.