MATT Salem couldn’t help but feel something’s missing amid Go for Gold’s celebration in the 2018 PBA D-League Foundation Cup on Thursday.
Though he’s satisfied with what his side has accomplished, he admits that it felt weird not sharing the honor with longtime teammate J-Jay Alejandro.
“Yeah, I miss him,” Salem admitted.
The former NU Bulldogs were together with the Scratchers in the Aspirants’ Cup before going their own ways – with Salem staying in the PBA D-League while Alejandro focusing on the Bataan Risers in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL).
Though the 25-year-old Salem would’ve wanted to savor this title with his brethren, he fully understands Alejandro’s decision to take his act elsewhere.
“It was what he thinks is the best for him, leaving Go for Gold. Like the NBA, it's a business. I definitely miss him and I wish he was here,” he said.
Salem, though, remains elated with what Go for Gold has achieved in only its second conference in the developmental ranks.
“This team's amazing and really special. Everyone knows each other so well. It's crazy how short of a time we had to learn each other positioning-wise and know our style, yet we still clicked,” he said as he, Jerwin Gaco, Eric Pili, and late addition Paul Desiderio as the team’s lone holdovers.
“It's really a strong squad and I'm glad to have been part of it.”
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