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PBA: After stellar start to Philippine Cup, Nico Salva aims for consistency

Article (news)

Rick Olivares

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2019/news/01/18/salva.jpg"/><figcaption>After a 22-point performance, Nico Salva says it is just one game, but more than individual statistics he is hoping to help Meralco break out of its Philippine Cup slump. File/PBA Media Bureau</figcaption></figure></div>Nico Salva tallied 22 points, six rebounds, and one steal in less than 29 minutes of play in the Meralco Bolts’ 93-92 loss to Phoenix Pulse in their opening game of the 2019 PBA Philippine Cup.It is arguably his best game in his six-year PBA career after graduating from Ateneo de Manila, where he was a part of the Blue Eagles’ fabled five-peat UAAP championship run.The Bolts are his fifth PBA team and Salva is in his second season with Meralco and his college coach, Norman Black. He hopes that with the Bolts, he has found his home. And yet, despite the solid stats, Salva was quick to downplay them.“The game was one of my best in the PBA,” reflected the 6-foot-3 forward. “However, it is not showing what I can. It is much more than that, he added. “It is about being able to contribute and help the team on both ends of the floor. So, it isn’t just scoring, but also defending, grabbing boards, and making the right reads and more.”What Salva was also implying was the consistency that is needed from him day in and day out. “When I entered the league, I had to adjust to playing the wing most especially defending wing scorers, fighting screen, and the physicality of the league,” he said.“I also had to adjust my mentality. I realized that I need a ‘eat or be eaten’ mindset. I had to scrap, claw, and work for everything because nothing will be given to me for free.”Salva realizes that it is one game, but more than individual statistics, he is hoping to help Meralco break out of its Philippine Cup slump. The Bolts have become contenders during the import-laden conferences as the taller reinforcements fill that gaping hole in the middle. Now at 28 and reaching his prime, Salva hopes to give it his best in this conference.Against Phoenix, the opposing team’s marginal basket came from Calvin Abueva. But it was Salva’s old Ateneo teammate who did a lot of damage. Also against his former team, Meralco.“It wasn’t weird playing against Justin (Chua),” Salva said. “I played against him in high school when he was with Chiang Kai Shek College and for a number of years here in the pros. So, it wasn’t really weird. But we were teammates once more here in Meralco. I am happy for him because he is being given a chance and he is making the most out of it. I know that he has been working hard and is being patient.”“However,” paused Salva who then laughed. “It would have been better had he gotten his career high against another team and not against us.”With the Bolts healthy as Jarden Dillinger, Cliff Hodge, and Ranidel De Ocampo are back in uniform, Salva hopes that Meralco can make big strides in this most prestigious of PBA championships. “I will have to do my part,” he simply promised.For more sports coverage, visit the <a href="http://sports.abs-cbn.com">ABS-CBN Sports website</a>.

After a 22-point performance, Nico Salva says it is just one game, but more than individual statistics he is hoping to help Meralco break out of its Philippine Cup slump.

After a 22-point performance, Nico Salva says it is just one game, but more than individual statistics he is hoping to help Meralco break out of its Philippine Cup slump.