01 November 2016

Nico Salva Reunited with Coach Norman Black

Nico Salva
Holiday or not the Meralco Bolts is busy trying to sustain their respectable finish last conference by acquiring crucial pieces through trades. After getting what they need from the draft, namely Ed Daquioag and Jonathan Grey, Meralco got Nico Salva from Barangay Ginebra Kings in exchange for two future draft picks.

Earlier, Meralco also traded Rey Gueverra to GlobalPort Batang Pier in exchange for high-scoring veteran Joseph Yeo.

In 26-year old Salva, Meralco is hoping to bolster its stretch four position and open the lanes more for Chris Newsome and Cliff Hodge to operate. During his Ateneo Days where he won five championships for the Blue Eagles from 2008-2012, Salva had a respectable three-point range. However, after being being picked 11th overall by GlobalPort in 2013, he never really flourish as a player.

For three years, the 6-foot-4 forward had a forgettable career averages of 2.7 points, 1.4 rebounds in 8.7 minutes of playing time. Meralco is hoping to rekindle his skills once again by reuniting Salva with former Ateneo players in the team that includes former Rookie of the Year Rabeh Al-Hussaini, Ryan Buenafe, Justine Chua, and another Rookie of the Year winner in Newsome.

Al-Hussaini, Buenafe, Chua, and Salva were all part of the Blue Eagles teams that won five successive championships in the UAAP under Black and team manager Paolo Trillo, who also holds the same role with Meralco today.

Only Newsome was unfortunate enough not to be part of the Blue Eagles champion unit as he came a season following Black’s departure from the school.

The arrival of Salva comes at a time the Bolts are coming off from their best finish ever in six seasons in the league following a runner-up finish behind the Kings during the season-ending tournament.

Will the wheeling and dealing stop here, Meralco may have one more up its sleeves and it may not be pretty.

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