Anxious moments filled the Mall of Asia Arena Wednesday night, when Baser Amer hurt his ankle with around six minutes left to play in the Meralco Bolts’ match against defending Commissioner’s Cup champions San Miguel Beermen.
The 25-year-old floor general was seen writhing in pain after accidentally stepping on the foot of San Miguel’s Arwind Santos, who tried to stop Amer from leading a fastbreak opportunity for the Bolts by standing in the latter’s path.
But that did not stop Amer from playing. He simply stomped his foot for about three times and went on with business. “Pinagpag lang” as they say.
Amer went on to finish with a game-high 28 points — spiked by five triples — to power the Orangemen to a 93-85 victory over San Miguel, spoiling the much-anticipated debut of 2017’s top pick Christian Standhardinger in the process.
“Pinagpag ko lang. As a player naman, naranasan na namin lahat nung mga ganun so pinagpag ko lang. Timing din na maganda laro ko so sinabi ko kay coach na mag-stay ako,” shared Amer, who had 13 points in the fourth.
More than his individual outing, what made Amer more satisfied is the fact that the Bolts’ third victory in the conference came at the expense of the Beermen, who are the favorites to win the mid-season tilt once more.
“Sobrang saya kasi tough team sila eh,” the Davao-native added. “Ginawa lang namin kanina is binilisan namin yung pace nung laro kasi dun kami makakakuha ng advantage. ‘Pag hinintay namin sila sa halfcourt talagang mahihirapan kami.”
Amer’s 28-point explosion is a season-high of his so far, as he never had that kind of outing back in the 2018 Philippine Cup. So for now, a challenge lies ahead: If he will be able to sustain such run in this conference.
After a stellar 2017 Governors’ Cup campaign, the 6-foot guard was not able to follow it up, averaging just 9.91 points and 5.18 assists during the 2017-18 Philippine Cup. And he knows he could not afford a let up this time around if he wants the Bolts to succeed this conference.
“Mahirap na every game maging consistent eh. Kasi sa next game yung ibang team prepared na sa’yo,” Amer said.
“Yun yung malaking challenge sa’min lahat na paano mo yun ma-sustain every game na ganun yung laro mo.”
