JAYSON DAVID'S STATEMENT GAME

FROM ONE SPORTS

Talk about a magic bunot—Jayson David absolutely erupted in his first game of the 2024–25 PBA season. The former LPU Pirate dropped 25 points on a near-perfect 8-of-9 shooting and came just one rebound shy of a double-double. Never mind that Ginebra cruised past NorthPort in a blowout—this debut was a statement.

To put things in perspective: in his first two PBA seasons, David totaled just 34 points, 23 rebounds, and 11 assists across 35 games. So yeah, this outburst was more than just surprising—it was overdue.

His sudden entry into the rotation also comes in the wake of LA Tenorio’s quiet demotion. Yes, any PBA team could technically sign Tenorio from the unrestricted free agency pool, but let’s be real—no one’s touching the mythos unless LA himself makes the move. Like Jimmy Alapag before him, Tenorio seems headed toward the coaching path after a wild few seasons filled with highs, lows, and hard-earned respect.

Now, back to David. Will this one-game explosion earn him a permanent slot in the rotation? Probably not right away. Tim Cone is known for his Tom Thibodeau-style tight rotations. But unlike TNT, NorthPort, or Rain or Shine, Ginebra boasts a deep and solid local lineup. They may still miss a dominant big like Greg Slaughter or Christian Standhardinger, but they've compensated with a versatile group of combo forwards.

Earlier this season, when Cone needed a spark, he turned to Ralph Cu as his X-Factor. If Jayson David continues to seize his opportunities, he could be that unexpected spark off the bench—a much-needed magic bunot, especially with Ginebra falling just short in back-to-back Finals runs.