After Jawo and Before Caguioa, there was Bal

Jawo entrusted Ginebra
to The Flash

Props to the San Miguel Corporation, the Philippine Basketball Association and everyone who was involved in this evening's successful and nostalgic tribute/ retirement ceremonies for the fabled "Living Legend" Robert Jaworski, Sr. But if there was one thing that stood out among the Jawo-related hoopla, it was the crowd's reception to another guy who doesn't even enjoy a quarter of his old mentor's accolades.

That guy is the 5"9, University of Santo Tomas alumnus, Bal "The Flash" David known best for steering Jaworski's Ginebra/ Gordon's Gin squad in the late 90s that peaked in 1997 by winning the Governor's Cup title. It was an insult when someone (now traded) wore the Number 1 jersey a few years back. And even Mike Cortez (who sported the number before going back to his standard 11) wasn't getting that much love from old school fans for it. To many, Ginebra, and the jersey number 1 belongs to just one guy much like Number 7 is Jaworski's and his alone.
When Ginebra started assembling a better ensemble behind the likes of Noli Locsin, Vince Hizon, Pido Jarencio and Marlou Aquino, they did so with David providing the spark at all times. He was nowhere near the Top 5 point guards of his time (they had smart floor generals such as Johnny Abarrientos, Dindo Pumaren and Ronnie Magsanoc around plus shooters like Richie Ticzon and Boybits Victoria), but the guy had spunk and balls the size of grapefruits. He's known best for two legendary, "trademark Ginebra" buzzer beaters-- one against sister team San Miguel (a.k.a. the "binato ni Bal David... BBBBBUUUUUOOOOWWWWAAAAAOOOOAAAAHHH!!!!" YouTube clip) plus that other one wherein he made young and blonde Asi Taulava cry on national television.

But what David lacked in overall PG skills or basketball IQ, he made up for with speed and guts. He wasn't afraid of the moment, never really backed down and didn't flinch when asked to take shots (which he did in his trademark "bicycle kick" -like jumpers). You'd have to think that David became tough thanks to his college coach Aric del Rosario. Legend has it that del Rosario gave David a quick punch to the gut in the Finals when it was clear that his young point guard was choking. Some of my senior friends from UST attest to it, can't remember since I was still in grade school at the time of UST's UAAP dominance.

Anyway, when Jaworski moved on to the Senate, Vince Hizon left for the Iloilo Megavoltz of the now defunct Metropolitan Basketball Association and buddy Aquino was shipped to the Santa Lucia Realtors-- everything started going downhill for David.

He was already hitting his 30s, his knees started giving in, and the props and recognition at the time were being given to Abarrientos and the rising Olsen Racela who was benefiting from the brilliance of head coach Ron Jacobs over at San Miguel. It also didn't help that a young Fil-Am by the name of Jayjay Helterbrand was starting to make waves and was forming a great partnership with Ginebra draft pick Mark Caguioa.

In July 20, 2005, David opted to officially retire instead of going through the embarrassment of being released by the "new" Ginebra which was being built into a powerhouse of San Miguel-proportions like most of his peers.

There were no big reports, no special interviews or one-on-ones. The last and truest disciple of the Jaworski years stepped away to nary a whimper. With new teammates Helterbrand, Caguioa, Eric Menk, Rommel Adducul and Rodney Santos all eating up much of the limelight. Hell, the team even got the services of Aris Dimaunahan to ensure that the "changing of the PGs" goes smoothly from David to Helterbrand and backup Dimaunahan.

Of course, the Gin Kings would move on and become one of the league's powerhouses from that point on. But you could just feel that the Jaworski era truly ended with David's retirement. The team started fielding in athletes and guys who are arguably some of the league's best as opposed to Jaworski and later David's time wherein they were just so-so guys making the most of what they had. You could make an argument that Aquino was the league's best big man from 1996-1997, and that Locsin was a chubby freak of nature who defied gravity-- but all in all, they were "everyday guys" none more so than David.

If you care to disagree and want proof, just wait for the YouTube clip of tonight's celebration and see, after Jaworski, who had the loudest ovation from the Never-Say-Die faithful.