27 March 2017

The Emergence of Baser Amer

Baser Amer
Ever wondered what it would be like to have a guard that plays like Jimmy Alapag and Ronnie Magsanoc? What would be the numbers like?

The closest that player so far that could represent both skill sets is Meralco Bolts' Baser Amer. There is a reason also why this is so. Alapag and Magsanoc served as his mentor in practice and the results paid off.

In Meralco's three wins in as many games in the current 2017 PBA Commissioner's Cup, Amer showed everyone that he's now the one in-charge of running the show for Meralco following the retirement of Alapag.

He's starting to get comfortable in the role, too.

In the last win against sister team, Ka Tropa, Amer was the top local scorer for Meralco with 17 points as he continues to blossom as starting man at the point in tandem with fellow sophomore guard Chris Newsome.

He was 7 of 14 from the floor and had two assists in 37 minutes of action – the most among the Meralco players outside of import Alex Stepheson.

"Kami (ni Newsome) 'yung guard sa loob. Wala na si Kuya Jimmy (Alapag)," said the soft-spoken playmaker from Davao City. "Kaya kinausap kami ni coach Norman (Black), kailangan kami yung coach sa loob."

Amer recognized that the two former premiere guards - Alapag and Ronnie Magsanoc – was responsible for his development.

"Lagi kaming tinutulugan sa practice, sa game," he added. "Tinututukan kami sa practice talaga, para sa game ready na talaga."

So far, the results are encouraging.

Amer averages 16.0 points in three games and has led the locals twice in scoring. He is 20 of 37 from the field so far and norms 3.0 assists per game in 31 minutes of play per outing.

Despite the solid numbers, Amer is keeping his feet on the ground knowing the shoes left behind by Alapag, the one-time league MVP, are hard to fill in.

"Hindi naman madali yung pagkawala ni Jimmy, dahan-dahan lang naming pinupunuan ni Anjo, (Caram)" he stressed. "Probably makakarating din kami run."

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