A different kind of spotlight: David Licauco shows off his basketball skills at the Pilipinas United 3×3 League

Kapuso model-actor  David Licauco, fondly known as the “Pambansang Ginoo” for his roles in historical dramas like Maria Clara at Ibarra, has joined the Pilipinas United 3×3 League (PUL), proving he’s just as talented on the hard court as he is on screen.

Held at the Ayala Malls Manila Bay Activity Center on August 23, 2005, the two-day event was a high-stakes affair. As a sanctioned FIBA “Lite Quest,” the winning team received a $5,000 prize and a slot in the FIBA 3×3 Kaohsiung Challenger in October. Local squads also competed for a spot in the FIBA 3×3 Manila Challenger in September.

The Kapuso actor played for Team Taho Story A with professional cagers Louie Vigil, Gryann Mendoza, and Tosh Sesay. The competitive league featured 12 teams in the men’s open division, including international competitors from Japan, Malaysia, and Vietnam, as well as an 8-team women’s division.

David’s basketball skills are no surprise to those who followed his journey. Before becoming an actor, he was a standout athlete at Grace Christian College, where he was a top scorer and rebounder. He continued playing on the varsity team at De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde.

Besides having an affinity for basketball and popularity as an actor, David has also established himself as an entrepreneur in the food and beverage, fitness, and construction industries. Despite his many titles, David manages to balance his responsibilities and be at his best.

“Sinasabi nila ‘Take it day by day;’ For me, ‘Take it hour by hour,’” he explained, saying that he dedicates the hours of his day to accomplishing his tasks as an actor and entrepreneur while pursuing his hobbies. “Mahal ko kasi ginagawa ko. Minsan ginagawa ko pero I just have to remember why I’m doing this: to make my future family comfortable.”

This isn’t the first time David played in a public basketball event. He previously participated in the GMA NCAA All-Star event in 2022. He has been documenting his training sessions with his teammates, sharing them with the simple yet powerful quote: “Para sa pangarap.”

Despite the challenges of balancing acting with his passion for basketball, David remains dedicated to the sport. He shared that playing 3×3 is more challenging than a typical 5×5 match, but he took on the opportunity for his dream.

“It’s something na pangarap ko. And to be given the chance to play here [Pilipinas United 3×3 League (PUL)], sobrang thankful. But I really have to work on my skills. I need to have better conditioning,” David said. He added, “Ang iniisip ko dito sa pagsali ay ‘to make my 16-year-old self proud.’ Buong buhay ko ‘yun ang pangarap ko: maging isang basketball player and to be given the chance to play in this level.”

Through his commitment to both acting and basketball, David continues to show what it means to be a true champion, proving that some passions never truly fade.