GARY David may not be part of Global Port’s long-term plans, according to a team insider.

The source said Batang Pier owner Mikee Romero is more interested in acquiring the services of Barako Bull’s Ronald Tubid and is willing to give up David, the three-time scoring champion retained from the old Powerade franchise.

On the statistical side, David put up more impressive numbers than Tubid but Romero reportedly remains sold on Tubid and can hardly wait to see a trade offer.

“Mas gusto ni Mikee si Tubid kaysa kay Gary,” related the insider. “Sa tingin niya loaded na sa scorers ang team kaya mas gusto niya ang isang scorer-cum-defender gaya ni Tubid.”

Any transaction would have to wait, however, pending the two players’ respective performances in the season-opening Philippine Cup that starts on Sept. 30.

“Baka medyo late na for further transactions since halos three weeks na lang before the opening at doon medyo payag si Mikee,” said the source.

“But once na mag-dip ang performance ni Gary o kaya magkaroon siya ng adverse effect sa team siguradong a trade will be pursued in earnest.”

Global Port interim coach Glenn Capacio has been quoted as saying David and Willie Miller will be the 1-2 punch of the Batang Pier team being fashioned to Romero’s specifications.

Another player Romero is reportedly keen on acquiring is new Ginebra acquisition Elmer Espiritu, also a known defensive-minded forward.

Should any trade push through, David certainly would be a big loss, a fact many feel would not be so one-sided if another player of the same caliber and future draft picks are also thrown in.

In 49 games played last season, David averaged a league-high 25.8 pts, 3.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists and was voted as the Philippine Cup Best Player. He also emerged as a contender for the MVP Award that insured his inclusion in the First Mythical Team.

Tubid’s statistics of 8.1 pts, 4.4 rebounds and 1.7 assists pale in comparison. David even beat the 2004 Three-Point Shootout King in scoring from beyond the arc, making 147 of 406 three-point attempts while the latter drained only 57 of 177 tries.

David, 34, launched a total of 932 attempts from the field, however, and this reportedly gnaws at Romero.

“More team involvement ang gusto ni Mikee and he feels that with Gary there, kailangan pa ng isa pang bola,” said the source.

Batang Pier indeed has a glut of other shooters in Rey Guevarra, Lordy Tugade and Josh Vanlandingham, to name a few. 

Barako coach Junel Baculi admittedly wants a scorer like David, but the acquisition of the latter for Tubid would create another void in the Energy’s two-guard spot.

Source: Malaya