KENT Salado played under coach Jamike Jarin just once and it was during the NCAA All-Star game some years ago.
Now he’s suiting up for the same coach - with the stakes a lot higher this time.
Salado got the surprise of his life when he received a call from the Phoenix coach while he was in Cagayan de Oro last week, asking that he immediately come to Manila to join his team in the ongoing PBA Philippine Cup.
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The 29-year-old guard wasted no time and quickly booked a flight to Manila. Three days later, he was playing in a PBA game. Salado's new lease on his basketball life came after being relegated by NLEX as an unrestricted free agent with rights to salary just before the start of the all-Filipino conference.
“Biglaan ito kaya shocked na may halong excitement,” said Salado when asked about landing the job at Phoenix, specifically to fill the void vacated by Tyler Tio who suffered a Grade 2 ankle sprain.
The call came shortly after the team’s 94-78 win over Terrafirma.
“Sabi ko kay coach nasa CDO ako, pero pinapalipad agad ako. Timing naman may game sila, kaya kinabukasan wala silang practice,” recalled Salado of his conversation with Jarin.
He arrived Thursday night. The following day, he was already practicing with his new team.
“NCAA All-Star, siya ang coach namin (from San Beda) and Arellano ako. Pero nagkakalaban na kami sa games,” said Salado.
Jarin familiar with Salado's game
Jarin very likely was already familiar with Salado's game that there was little hesitation to field him immediatly in Phonex's game against Rain or Shine, just three days after he planed in.
However, it was not the kind of debut Salado and, perhaps, even Jarin envisioned. The Fuel Masters lost, 100-85, with Salado finishing with three points, two rebounds, and an assist in 12 minutes of play.
“Opportunity ito, kaya kailangan i-grab din natin ito,” he said of the chance to play in the PBA again.
Salado was part of the Robert Bolick trade consummated by Northport and NLEX in which the Batang Pier acquired the rights to Don Trollano, Ben Adamos, and Kris Rosales.
He never got to play for the Road Warriors as the team already had a complete 15-man roster. He was eventually relegated to the free agent list despite still having a live contract that runs until April.
“Inassume na ng Phoenix 'yun (contract),” he said.
Salado can’t tell what his future with Phoenix is going to be, but he hopes he’ll be able to prove to the team that he can help once he gets to know Jarin's system.
“Nanibago ako siyempre kasi naka-dalawang practices pa lang ako sa kanila. So iba pa rin yung nandun ka sa simula pa lang,” he said.
“So depende na sa kanila (Phoenix),” when asked about the possibility of returning to the same franchise next season.
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