LUCENA CITY — Baser Amer wasn’t much of a factor in the 2019 PBA Governors’ Cup Finals opener last Wednesday, where Meralco squandered a third quarter advantage and lost to Barangay Ginebra.
The four-year pro only had nine points in that match, which was why he took it upon himself to bounce back in Game Two two nights later at the Quezon Convention Center.
He did that perfectly.
Amer produced 17 points on 54.5-percent shooting from the field, including 5-of-9 from beyond the arc, as he helped the Bolts even the best-of-seven series with a 104-102 victory.
“Last game, medyo nawala ako ng fourth quarter. Gusto ko maglaro nung last game. Gusto ko, kahit patapos na ‘yung laro, nasa loob ako. ‘Yun ‘yung mindset ko, kailangan ko mag-bounce back,” said Amer moments after the match.
“Kailangan fourth quarter hanggang matapos, nandun ako sa loob.”
The endgame was where Amer made his presence felt the most, helping Meralco repel Ginebra. He first made a triple with 3:18 remaining to give his side an eight-point edge, 96-88.
One of San Beda’s all-time greats then made another triple — just steps away from the top of the key — to give the Orangemen a 101-91 advantage with 2:12 left in the game.
For Amer, those long shots brought him much relief, since he’d finally answered the riddle that is Ginebra’s defense.
“Kanina nag-zone sila, ang lalayo ng tira, pero ‘yung tirang ‘yun pina-practice ko ‘yun. Mag-miss man, wala akong pakialam. Basta ‘yung tirang ‘yun pina-practice ko ‘yun,” he said.
Amer has proven yet again that good things come the way of Meralco whenever he plays well. So now, he takes that challenge to keep his play up to be of better help for his squad.
“Sobrang challenge sa ‘kin kasi once na maganda ‘yung laro ko, talagang malaking chance na manalo, sabi ni coach. So I’ll take that responsibility,” said Amer.
“Hindi na ako ‘yung dati na pasundot-sundot lang. Ngayon malaki na ‘yung responsibility ko sa team.”
