Nico Salva was feeling it on Tuesday.
The SM Mall of Asia Arena looked like the 6-foot-3 swingman’s personal playground, as he shot 8-of-11 from the field – 3-of-5 from beyond the arc – en route to a career-high-tying 20 markers to lead the Meralco Bolts’ locals.
“It helps that yung mga kasama mo sa floor are threats,” said Salva, 28.
“They have to choose, and most of the time AD (Allen Durham) is there, so they have to put two or three guys in there to guard him. Yun lang, mostly kickouts from AD, then rotations, pagka-swing ng bola at may nalilibre, yun tinitira.”
His efforts, however, went for naught.
Salva’s hot-shooting wasn’t enough for the Bolts as their fightback versus the Alaska Aces fell short, 95-100, thus putting an end to their seven-game win streak abridging the eliminations and semis of the 2018 PBA Governors’ Cup.
The series is now tied at 1-1.
“We were down sa start and I just felt like sa second group we had to higitan or pantayan yung ginagawa ng first group. So I just took kung ano lang yung binigay ng defense. Thank God na na-shoot naman. But it was short pa rin,” he rued.
“Kulang pa rin kami ng ilang points to win the game sana.”
Alaska head coach Alex Compton noted how Salva became one of the Aces’ concerns in the game due to his shooting. Given that, Salva will definitely be one of Alaska’s targets on defense come Game Three this Thursday.
“You know, at a time Jared Dillinger is hurting, Cliff Hodge is hurting, Nico Salva is huge for them,” said Compton.
“Actually I took a timeout just to yell on the guys ‘I’m tired of Nico Salva lighting us up!’ He was great.”
But for the five-time UAAP gold medalist with the Ateneo Blue Eagles, he’ll just take whatever Alaska will give him.
“I just have to take what they’re giving. First game I only had one shot because walang looks. I’m not looking to take the most shots, but I’m just looking to do whatever the team needs, kung rebound, depensa, hustle, kung may tira, yun.”
