Known as someone who can be lethal from downtown, Baser Amer had an opportunity to lift the Meralco Bolts past the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters on Friday night through a three-pointer.
With 6.2 seconds left on the clock and with the Orangemen down by just two, 85-87, Amer found himself wide open from the top when the Elasto Painters’ switch defense failed miserably.
Amer, however, missed.
Beau Belga, unfortunately for Meralco, was there at the right spot and hauled down the miss. He would then be fouled by Chris Newsome, and he didn’t waste the chance and split his foul shots.
“Sayang ‘yung last shot. Talagang pina-practice ko ‘yun kaninang umaga, bago magsimula ‘yung practice. Talagang tira ko talaga ‘yun eh,” lamented Amer, who finished with 10 points.
“Kanina pagpasok sa dugout parang napaluha ako kasi tira ko talaga eh, tsaka inensayo ko sa practice.”
The loss had sent the Bolts down to 3-6, thus making their quarterfinal hopes a tad slimmer. But as frustrated as he is, Amer keeps his faith with regards to their chances for the next round.
Meralco will have the struggling Alaska Aces and rivals Barangay Ginebra San Miguel in their last two games in the eliminations, which for Amer are both must-win situations for the Orangemen.
“Last two games namin, kung may chance or wala, kailangan namin ipanalo. Huwag na namin tingnan kung sino makakalaban namin. Huwag na rin namin tingnan ‘yung standings,” the four-year pro out of San Beda shared.
“Basta ‘yung last two games maipanalo kasi it’s only us eh. Lahat ng mga coaches binibigyan mga preparations, game plan. Depende talaga sa mga players kung paano sila magde-deliver,” he continued.
“‘Di pa naman tapos, focus kami sa next practice and sa last two games. And may mga ibang games naman na maglalaro, malay mo.”
