Salem may pangako sa Gin Kings

MANILA, Philippines – Napili na ang 31 man­lalaro bago si Matt Sa­lem, subalit tila siya pa rin ang top overall pick matapos mapunta sa Barangay Ginebra  sa 2018 PBA Rookie Draft.

 Tila iyon ang naram­daman ng National University standout na si Sa­lem matapos mapili bilang 32nd overall pick ng Gin Kings na siyang katangi-tanging pick ng koponan sa draft pool ng 47 na manlalaro.

Para kay Salem, ba­gama’t nakalulungkot na sa third round ng draft pa siya umabot, biya­yang maituturing aniya ito dahil sa pinakasikat na koponan ng PBA siya na­padpad.

 “It was a blessing. It was a blessing in disguise. Everyone expected everyone to go at a certain pick. I don’t believe them. It’s up to God. God has everything in control and I just thank him,” ani Salem. “Like you said, it’s a blessing in disguise. It’s amazing actually. I’m so happy right now.”

Bunsod nito, nanga­ko ang 25-anyos na si Sa­lem ng kahandaan upang ma­tuto lalo na sa kar­ga­dong koponan ng Gin Kings na pinapangunahan ngayon nina Scottie Thompson, LA Tenorio, Mark Caguioa, Japeth Aguilar, Joe Devance at Greg Slaughter sa ilalim ng winningest coach na si Tim Cone.

 “They got a lot of ta­lent over there. That’s where I got to learn from. I got to put in more work on it. I always have to improve everything on my all-around game,” aniya.

Katulad ng naranasan ng ibang mga manlala­ro na napunta sa Ginebra, dumagundong ang hi­yawan at sigawan sa Robinson’s Place sa Ermita nang tawagin ang pa­ngalan ni Salem kahit pa 32nd overall pick.

“It’s awesome. It’s unbelievable. It’s a blessing in disguise. I thank God for it. I’m speechless,” ani Salem na ipinangakong su­suklian ang tiwala ng Ginebra at mga taga-su­­porta nito. “I’m a hard­wor­ker. I never quit. I’m going to bring to the table what they want me to bring and get better from there.”