Powerade’s main man tries to lead Tigers against Rain or Shine in PBA semifinal round

Game today:

Cuneta Astrodome

6:45 p.m.- Rain or Shine vs. Powerade

Gary David tries to continue his scoring rampage when the Powerade Tigers and the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters begin their best-of-seven semifinal series of the 37th PBA Philippine Cup today at the Cuneta Astrodome.

Stopping David will definitely Rain or Shine’s primary concern as the 6-foot-4 guard went on an offensive tear in the Tigers’ quarterfinals series against the top-seed B-Meg Llamados.

Scoring back-to-back 30-point games, David combined for  a whopping 69 points in Powerade’s two victories over the Llamados—wins that allowed the Tigers to overhaul a twice-to-beat disadvantage and march to the Final Four round.

“We have tall and quick players to match up with David,” Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao told pba.ph

David said he is ready to face the Rain or Shine challenge.

“I’ve prepared myself against them. It’s going to be a physical game and I’ll be ready,” said David, now lifting weights like he never did before.

David is eyeing a return trip to the Finals after making it to the championship round when he was still with the Air21 Express in 2008.

While he is expected to figure well in the semis, David said it will not be a one-man show for the Tigers.

“I anticipate what they’re saying that they’ll put taller, quicker and physical defenders on me. But I don’t think it’s just me against Rain or Shine. Marcio Lassiter, Jvee Casio and my other teammates are now also at peak form,” David said. “We’re confident Marcio and Casio will rise up to the challenge. Both are wise. They play like grizzled veterans.”

The Painters advanced to the semis by sweeping the Barangay Ginebra Kings in their best-of-three quarterfinal duel.