Entering Arellano’s game against the JRU Heavy Bombers Tuesday afternoon, the Chiefs needed to atone a lot of things to their community. Just last Thursday, Kent Salado and the Chiefs were shamed by San Sebastian Golden Stags on their home floor.
“Gusto ko lang manalo kasi home court. Pero di ko nga rin masyado iniisip na home court advantage kasi bilog nga ang bola. Gusto ko lang manalo,” Salado expressed after that game.
“Pero okay lang yan, babawi kami.”
However, just when Arellano was about to cruise past JRU — holding a 62-56 lead with 1:18 left, disaster struck the Chiefs as the Heavy Bombers were able to rally back. After cutting the lead to just three with 11.1 seconds left, the 22-year old missed two free throws that could’ve iced the game that led to a game-tying triple by Jed Mendoza to send the game into overtime.
“Oo nagsisi ako kasi yun nga, hindi na shoot. Naisip ko nga, panalo na. Yun, natirahan kami ng three points,” recalled Salado who scored nine points in the final frame while picking up an assist and a steal.
But even after the miss, coach Jerry Codinera knew that he still needs to go to the Salado, the heir apparent to Jiovani Jalalon, in the clutch.
“We just have to go to Salado,” the PBA legend said.
“It’s trust eh.”
Once the ball reached Salado with four seconds left, the 5-foot-9 combo guard immediately drove through the lane, throwing a looping one-hander over the outstretched arms of Abdoul Poutouochi for the game-winner.
“Oo, gusto ko kunin yun eh. Kasi sinabi din ng nag inbound, sa akin nga bibigay. Kahit ano mangyari,” furthered Salado, who finished the game with a game-high 25 points to go along with six rebounds, eight assists, and two steals. “Siguro masasabi ko lang na naswertehan lang ako kasi wala ng oras eh, dapat kong itira. Yun nga, naka-challenge pa si Abdoul.
“Naswertehan lang talaga ako”
And it might have been luck but Salado made sure to fulfill his promise to Arellano.
