David Licauco is thankful for the chance to compete in the Pilipinas United 3x3 League (PUL), a FIBA 3x3 Lite Quest event.
On Saturday, August 23, 2025, the Kapuso actor suited up for Taho Story A alongside pros Louie Vigil, Gryann Mendoza, and Sierra Leone native Tosh Sesay.
David and his teammates took part in the 12-team tournament, where the champion takes home USD 5,000 and a berth in the FIBA 3x3 Kaohsiung Challenger in October, while the top local team secures a spot in the FIBA 3x3 Manila Challenger in September.
In an interview with PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) and other members of the press after one of their games, David said he was surprised when Taho Story invited him to join its A squad.
"I would say nagulat, to be honest," he shared.
David didn’t pass up the opportunity and gladly embraced the challenge.
The former De La Salle–College of Saint Benilde basketball varsity player said: "It's a good experience for me, siyempre.
"Malaki ang pasasalamat ko sa Taho Story and sa nag-organize ng itong league na ito, ng Pilipinas United Basketball."
David admitted that playing in the 3x3 league feels more challenging than 5-on-5 basketball.
"It's so hard. Hindi man sobrang hirap. Siguro kung five-on-five basketball player ka, yung three-on-three, it's something na ibang-iba.
"Ang bilis yung laro dahil yung shot clock from 24 second, naging 12 seconds.
"And tatlo lang kayo, e, lahat nagmamadali. You just really have to take the shot all the time, di ba? Walang resting period, e.
"So, to be honest, medyo malaking adjustment siya for me. You know but kaya iyan, kaya iyan."
DAVID LICAUCO: FEELING THE PRESSURE
Being a celebrity added extra pressure for David during the games, but he used it as motivation to push himself and perform better.
He reflected, "Minsan tatanungin mo yung sarili mo, 'Do I deserve it? Artista lang ba ba kaya ako napasok dito?'
"Pwede naman di ba? Pero oo nga siguro, definitely.
"Pero kelangan kong galingan para like,hindi naman nakakahiya sa mga nanonood, sa mga nagsusuporta sa akin, saka sa mga ibang basketball players di ba?
"Na parang, 'Hoy, si David nakapasok ngayon dahil artista!' Di ba? So kelangan kong galingan."
Too bad his team lost against SBB Japan.
"I really have to work on my skills. I need to, you know, like have better conditioning.
"Dahil, to be honest, siyempre, may taping ako. Like yesterday, I just came from taping, action scenes.
"So medyo masakit ngayon ang katawan ko, di ba? So nagbarilan kami kagabi sa scenes, di ba? So ngayon, basketball naman, so it's medyo pagod lang.
"Pero, I mean, I showed up here. So yun yung trabaho ko ngayon, maging isang basketball player.
"So kailangan kong to get out of that shell and to, you know, like perform better and learn from my failure a while ago."
David and his team defeated Smile 360 to reach the quarterfinals but were eliminated by Half Court Group, led by veteran Chester Saldua.
Half Court Group went on to finish as runner-up to Harimau Malaysia, losing 21–15 in the final. They secured USD 2,500 and a ticket to the FIBA 3x3 Manila Challenger in September.
Despite missing the finals, David was grateful for the experience.
He said, "It's something na pangarap ko and to be given the chance to play here, you know, sobrang thankful."
David later added, "Ang iniisip ko dito sa pagsali ay to make my sixteen-year-old self proud, you know.
"Siyempre buong buhay ko yun yung pangarap ko e, maging isang basketball player. And to be given the chance, you know, to be in this level, I'm so thankful."
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