Former pro Salvador hopes for one last shot at PBA

Jondan Salvador. PBA IMAGES

It’s been two years since he last laced up his sneakers, but Jondan Salvador is giving basketball one last shot.

The 36-year-old big man is seeking to crack Flying V’s lineup in the ongoing 2017 PBA D-League Foundation Cup where he is hopeful to impart some wisdom to PBA aspirants, led by Jeron Teng.

“I’m excited to play because it’s almost a year since I last played basketball. I’m the oldest here, so all I want is to help the aspiring PBA candidates like Jeron and share my experiences to them,” he said in Filipino.

Salvador was at the Ynares Sports Arena bleachers on Monday as he watched the Thunder beat Gamboa Coffee Mix, 119-105 and stay unbeaten after two outings.

The wide-bodied enforcer, though, is willing to play the waiting game as he admits that he’s still far from his desired game shape.

“I told them that I’m still not in shape. I’m just thinking here that I’ll try it and I practiced last Friday. I was able to keep in step, but I was out of air. I told coach Eric (Altamirano) to give me 10 days. I’ll be in condition again,” he said.

Salvador also sees this opportunity for him get one last look from PBA teams, two years removed since he last saw action for the now-defunct Barako Bull.

“If I perform well here, I may have the chance to be noticed again by the coaches,” he said.

But the 6-foot-4 veteran is realistic enough to acknowledge that players like him are already at the twilight of their careers, and all he wants is to share valuable lessons to his teammates who are eyeing to move up to the PBA.

“I’m telling them that in the PBA, they’ll be facing bigger and smarter foes, so they have to prepare themselves,” he said.

“The reason why they got me in this team is to provide leadership. I’ve been a champion since I was in college, in the PBL to the PBA. I hope I can bring that winning attitude here.”