Ginebra’s Jayson David during a game against NorthPort in the PBA Philippine Cup. –PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines— In his first game back for Ginebra since being reactivated, Jayson David not only rekindled one of his best memories in a Gin Kings jersey—he created a new one.
Wednesday night turned out to be more than just a trip down memory lane for David. Instead of simply reliving his past heroics, he wrote a new chapter in what’s been a mostly quiet PBA career.
READ: PBA: Ginebra gets lift from Jayson David in rout of NorthPort
It was June 2023 when David first caught the attention of Ginebra fans during the PBA On Tour, a preseason tournament, with a game-winning layup against Rain or Shine at Ynares Sports Center in Pasig.
The Inquirer showed David what happened during that afternoon clash at Ynares Sports Center in Pasig two years ago, but unsurprisingly, he never forgot.
MAGIC BUNOT AGAIN FOR GINEBRA
WATCH: After being down by one point, 106-107, Jayson David knocked down a layup to bring the Gin Kings in front, 108-107, with 2.4 to go. | @MeloFuertesINQ pic.twitter.com/HA9qGsS2AL
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) June 25, 2023
In fact, he watched the exact same clip before Ginebra face with Northport in Philippine Cup action at, coincidentally, the same area.
“It’s fitting that you showed me that because I just watched it earlier. My father-in-law shared the video, and I remembered I had a game-winner two years ago,” said a beaming David, who spoke to Inquirer Sports at Philsports Arena. said a beaming David with Inquirer Sports at Philsports Arena.
READ: PBA: Tim Cone thinks Ginebra pick Jayson David ‘steal of the draft’
That game-winner could’ve launched a bigger role for David, but instead, he struggled to find minutes in the main conferences. Eventually, he was relegated to Ginebra’s reserve list.
That was, until Wednesday, when David was reactivated in the lineup following Tenorio’s relegation to the UFA (unrestricted free agents) list due to his coaching duties for Gilas Youth.
“I’ve been with Ginebra for three years and I never got playing time. This season, after two conferences, I was put in the UFA list so I told myself, this can’t be, because I’ll lose my contract,” said David.
“Of course, I’m providing for my family and I need to work hard, even if I’m not in the lineup,” he added.
Barangay Ginebra second round draft pick Jayson David. PBA IMAGES
The third-year forward showed exactly that same fire and will in the Gin Kings’ 131-106 rout of Northport, finishing with a near double-double of 25 points and nine rebounds.
“Did we expect him to come out and get 25 points and nine rebounds in his first game? Of course not, but we knew that he would contribute and that’s why I played him so early in the game,” said Cone of David after Ginebra’s victory that sent the Gin Kings to a 2-1 card in the young season.
Answered prayer for Jayson David.
He finished with a near double-double for Ginebra in the dub. | @MeloFuertesINQ pic.twitter.com/xWxSGlqM7Y
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) April 30, 2025
“He’s got a lot to prove. He’s got to be able to come out and contribute every game and that’s one of our issues, we tend to evaluate a guy on just one game,” the veteran tactician added.
David didn’t need a game-winner for Cone and the crowd darlings in this blistering Wednesday evening, as he certainly proved that he can hang on the court long enough before that opportunity comes.
Or doesn’t.
All that matters for David is his desire to help Ginebra reach the top in any way he can.
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“Alam naman natin na ‘di ako part ng rotation kaya ‘di ko naisip na magkakaroon ulit ako ng pagkakataon na gano’n…” said the 20th overall pick of the 2022 Draft, followed by a quick pause.
“Ang iniisip ko lang, once mabigyan ako ng one o two minutes, kahit ilan pa ‘yan, I’ll do my best to help the team. That’s the only thing on my mind.”
(We know I’m not part of the rotation so having a chance like that again is not on my mind anymore. All I’m thinking now is that no matter how many minutes I’m given, whether it’s one to two, I’ll do my best to help the team. That’s the only thing on my mind.)
