Kent Salado PBA Draft Journey: What to Expect and How He Fits in the Pros

I still remember the first time I watched Kent Salado play for the Arellano Chiefs back in 2018. There was something different about his game - this fearless drive to the basket combined with court vision you don't often see in college guards. Now, as he enters the PBA Draft with that memorable quote - "I'd rather 'almost have it' than not get there" - I can't help but feel we're witnessing the beginning of a special professional journey. Having followed Philippine basketball for over fifteen years, I've seen numerous college stars transition to the pros, and Salado's case presents particularly fascinating possibilities.

What makes Salado's draft journey compelling isn't just his skill set but his mentality. That statement about preferring to almost make it rather than not trying at all tells you everything about his approach to the game. I've always believed basketball success is about 60% mental and 40% physical, and Salado seems to embody this ratio perfectly. During his collegiate career with Arellano University, he averaged around 15.2 points, 5.8 assists, and 4.3 rebounds per game in his final season - solid numbers that don't fully capture his impact on the court. His ability to create shots for himself and others while maintaining aggressive defense makes him what I'd call a "high-floor prospect" - someone who might not become a superstar overnight but will definitely contribute meaningfully from day one.

The PBA landscape has evolved significantly in recent years, with teams increasingly valuing versatile guards who can both score and facilitate. Looking at the current team needs, I could see Salado fitting perfectly with franchises like Blackwater or Terrafirma, both of whom could use backcourt stability. His playing style reminds me somewhat of LA Tenorio during his early years - not the flashiest athlete but incredibly smart about using angles and changes of pace to create advantages. Having spoken with several PBA scouts over the years, I know they value college players who've shown consistency against UAAP competition, and Salado's performances against teams like San Beda and Letran demonstrated he can compete at high levels.

What particularly excites me about Salado's professional potential is his pick-and-roll execution. In today's PBA, approximately 68% of halfcourt offensive possessions involve pick-and-roll actions, making this arguably the most important skill for modern guards. Salado reads defensive coverages well, knows when to attack the rim himself (he shot about 48% on drives last season), and when to kick out to open shooters. His mid-range game needs some polishing - he connected on just 38% of those attempts last season - but the foundation is clearly there. I've always preferred guards who can score at all three levels, and with professional coaching, Salado could develop into that type of multidimensional threat.

The transition from college to professional basketball presents challenges that go beyond just physical adjustments. The speed of the game increases dramatically - PBA games feature roughly 12% more possessions than collegiate matches - and the defensive schemes become more complex. Having witnessed numerous talented college players struggle with this transition, I'm cautiously optimistic about Salado's adaptation. His basketball IQ has always impressed me, and players who understand spacing and timing tend to adjust better to the professional pace. The areas he'll need to work on most are his three-point consistency (he shot about 32% from beyond the arc last season) and defensive positioning against quicker guards.

Salary considerations also play a crucial role in a player's draft journey, and here's where team fit becomes particularly important. Based on current rookie scale contracts, Salado could expect to earn between ₱150,000 to ₱200,000 monthly depending on his draft position - reasonable compensation that reflects both his potential and the areas where he needs development. What I appreciate about his approach is that he seems focused more on finding the right basketball situation than simply maximizing immediate earnings. In my experience covering the league, players who prioritize development environment over initial salary often have better long-term careers.

Looking at specific team needs, I'd love to see Salado land with a coaching staff known for developing guards. Teams like Magnolia with Coach Chito Victolero or even Ginebra with Coach Tim Cone could provide the structured environment where his skills would flourish. Both organizations have demonstrated patience with young guards while maintaining competitive rosters - the perfect balance for a rookie's development. I've never been a fan of throwing rookies into starting roles immediately unless they're truly exceptional, and Salado would benefit from a gradual integration where he can learn from veterans while contributing 15-20 minutes per game initially.

The mental aspect of Salado's game might ultimately determine his professional ceiling. His quote about preferring to almost succeed rather than not trying reveals a growth mindset that I wish more young players possessed. In professional sports, fear of failure often limits development more than physical limitations. Players who embrace challenges, learn from mistakes, and maintain persistence through setbacks tend to maximize their potential. From what I've observed of Salado's career trajectory, he possesses this crucial characteristic in abundance.

As draft day approaches, I'm predicting Salado will be selected somewhere between picks 8 and 12 in the first round - high enough to join a competitive organization but with realistic expectations about his rookie contribution. His combination of playmaking, scoring ability, and mental toughness gives him what I estimate to be about an 85% chance of becoming at least a rotation player, with perhaps a 30% chance of developing into a future All-Star. These are just my personal projections based on watching similar transitions over the years, but they reflect genuine optimism about his professional future.

Ultimately, the PBA gains another compelling storyline with Kent Salado's arrival. His journey represents what makes Philippine basketball continuously fascinating - talented players pursuing their dreams with both skill and heart. While nobody can predict with certainty how any draft prospect will perform, Salado's mentality suggests he'll approach his professional opportunity with the same determination that characterized his collegiate career. The league could use more players who understand that sometimes coming close while giving maximum effort matters more than playing it safe. That perspective, combined with his tangible skills, makes Salado one of the more intriguing prospects in this draft class.