San Miguel assistant coach Boycie Zamar is embracing the challenge of mentoring the Beermen crew in the highly-anticipated PBA 3×3.
The veteran tactician has the task of forming and steering a team that could best represent the successful franchise in the newly-founded league, which looks to open shop this year amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
“Sa San Miguel organization, ‘pag na-assign ka sa isang bagay, you are there for a challenge,” Zamar told Tiebreaker Times, Tuesday.
“Inassign tayo sa 3×3, gampanan natin kung ano ‘yung available talent, ‘yung available resources. Bottom line pa rin naman diyan is end result.”
This may be a new test for the former UE mentor, but this isn’t the first time that he will dip his hand into the halfcourt game. Zamar said that he had taught 3×3 in programs with the Philippine National Police a few years ago.
“Tawag natin doon, parang PCR. Police community relations. So, meron tayong outreach program kasama ang PNP,” he recalled.
“Kasi nahirapan sila pumasok sa community eh, mahirap pumasok ng five-on-five. So ito ‘yung ginagamit natin, three-on-three. Tine-train muna natin ‘yung PNP mag-referee, at the same time maglaro ng three-on-three.”
Still, Zamar knows that the upcoming PBA 3×3 will be very different. But then again, the former national team coach is up for the challenge.
His focus now is building as a competitive San Miguel 3×3 squad as possible, which he hopes can match up with some of the teams that have recently signed marquee players for their own 3×3 units.
Meralco acquired the services of Jason Brickman, while TNT followed suit by inking Jeremiah Gray. Phoenix, meanwhile, got Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser. All of them were former teammates in San Miguel Alab Pilipinas in the ABL.
“Lahat naman ‘yan nakita natin kung anong kalidad niyan,” said Zamar, who’s been with the San Miguel camp since 2013.
“Siyempre si Brickman nakita ko ‘yan, kasama ng anak ko ‘yan sa Thailand. Si Jeremiah, nakita ko ‘yan dito sa Alab. Si Brandon, bago pa lang mag-Alab, nag-work out din kami diyan sa San Miguel. So, alam natin ‘yung kalibre.
“‘Yung ise-set up natin na 3×3 dito sa San Miguel, I am closely coordinating with Coach Gee Abanilla, our team manager, and Gov. Robert Non. Gusto ko lang din, competitive din siyempre,” he furthered.
Zamar did not mention names when asked who is in his team although he shared that there are three shoo-ins already, and he is only looking for three more players to complete his lineup.
And in his search for those missing pieces, he is looking for experience, since he is aware of the emerging discipline’s rigors.
“As much as possible, dapat talaga experienced na player. ‘Yun ang hahanapin natin. Kasi you are playing a 10-minute game, 12-second shot clock, tapos tatlo lang kayo at apat kayo magpalitan. Talagang matindi ang labanan,” he said.
“So it’s all physical prowess, mental toughness, and dapat matindi ‘yung basketball IQ mo kasi iba yung mechanics nito eh.”
