I've been playing hurt for sometime now, says ‘El Granada’

Meralco's Gary David (left) during last Friday's game against NLEX. Photo: PBA Media Bureau

MANILA -- Gary David has appealed for understanding from fans after he received harsh criticism online following Meralco’s decision to suspend him for a game.

The Meralco Bolts have suspended the veteran guard for insubordination during their game against the NLEX Road Warriors last Friday.

David sat out the entire second half of the Bolts’ 99-104 defeat and played for only seven minutes. After the game, he rued his lack of playing time.

READ: Thornton, NLEX send Meralco to back-to-back losses

In a statement, the team said coach Norman Black wanted to bring him with four minutes to go in the fourth quarter but David "indicated ...that he did not want to play."

In an interview with sports website Spin, David said he had a sprain.

"May sprain kasi ako, pero nakalaro pa rin ako nung game na 'yun kasi uminom ako ng pain reliever. Dapat yun, iinuman ko ulit ng isa pa sa halftime," “El Granada” told Spin.

"Kaso di na ko uminom dahil di na nga ako ulit nagamit. Nung tinawag ako, masakit na talaga paa ko nun. Yun din ang sinabi ko sa kanila (Meralco management)."

David also acknowledged getting negative feedback from fans online, with some of them calling him a “prima donna” for refusing to play.

But the player clarified that he never demanded for playing time.

"Nung time na nagsisimula ako sa PBA, wala rin akong minutes pero pinagtrababuhan ko," said David. "Kahit sa Gilas, medyo limited din minutes ko pero nadinig nyo ba ko nagreklamo?"

"Sana lang hindi nila ko jina-judge ng ganun kasi kahit player kami, tao rin kami na marunong makaramdam ng sakit ng katawan," he said.

"Nakakalungkot lang kasi ang dami nang nasabi sa akin, hindi nila alam injured rin kasi talaga ko.

David said he has already apologized to the team after airing his side of the story.

"Nag-sorry na rin naman ako sa management ng Meralco at tinanggap naman nila," he said.

For more sports coverage, visit the ABS-CBN Sports website.