For San Beda Red Lions head coach Jamike Jarin, star guard Baser Amer is irreplaceable. But it is what the rest of his crew does collectively to fill the void.
Veteran backcourt player Dan Sara, is one of them, as she stepped up in big ways when the Red Lions defeated the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers, 88-69, earning the praise of Jarin.
“He is in the limelight right now. All eyes are on him. He is going to make mistakes. No one can replace a Baser Amer,” Jarin said. “But the good thing is you are Dan Sara, you have been his teammate for the longest time so you know what he does. He just needs to listen and contribute.”
Sara finished with 17 points on 6-for-9 shooting, being aggressive all-game long, and added 8 rebounds and 3 assists.
“Dan [Sara]’s and Ola [Adeogun]’s numbers are going up. I am happy with what I saw in the last 20 minutes,” Jarin added.
Sara later on added he was only challenged by the absence of Amer, and was only doing his best to lead the backcourt. “Everyday I want to improve my game. My coaches, pinupush nila ako so nacha-challenge rin ako. Baser Amer yon, sobrang sikat. Alam ko namang hindi ko mapapantayan yun pero lagi ako nagpapakondisyon,” Sara said.
With the 6-1 Red Lions hoping to win their sixth straight title, Sara is expected to do more, and he is up for the task.
“Nakikinig lang ako lagi kasi hindi rin naman maiiwasan minsan dumidiskarte ka ng sarili mo. Brother ko siya e so wala, we need to step up,” he said.
