With their backs against the wall, Meralco’s Baser Amer found an extra gear
Approaching Wednesday night’s Game Two of their best-of-three quarterfinal series, Meralco were cornered. But luckily, the odds favored them this time. The Bolts were able to survive a horrific meltdown, sneaking past the TNT Katropa, 103-100, in extra period to get even and force a rubber match this coming Friday.
And it was sophomore guard Baser Amer who asserted himself as the team’s leader, anchoring the Bolts with 32 markers on 52 percent shooting alongside six rebounds, and four assists.
It wasn’t just a simple game-high scoring output for the 24-year-old floor general, though. It has now become his career-high in points — 13 points better than his previous record of 19 points, which he set twice.
Meralco head coach Norman Black was all praises for his prized point guard.
“I have to give credit to the players especially Baser Amer, who played his best game tonight,” lauded the 59-year-old mentor.
But for the all-time San Beda great, his career game was just a product of his desire not to be eliminated right away; that he is hard-pressed to help the Bolts reach the semifinals, whatever it takes.
“Sabi ni coach do-or-die samin ‘to. Sabi ko rin sa kanila na kailangan magkaroon kami ng aggressive mentality from the start hanggang matapos,” said the six-foot Amer.
“Para din sa akin, ayaw ko rin magbakasyon.
“Kung natalo kami today maghihintay na naman kami next conference. Nakakasawa na. Gusto ko talaga, yung main target namin is makapunta ng semis then bahala na kung anong mangyayari,” he added.
What made his notable night even more memorable was his match-up against Jayson Castro. For the proud son of Davao City, going up against Asia’s best point guard brought out the best in him.
“Of course isa siya sa mga idol ko sa PBA. Masarap makipaglaro sa mga ganun kagaling kasi makikita mo siya na go-hard siya, ayaw niyang magpatalo. Ikaw na iniidolo mo siya, ‘di ka rin nagpapatalo,” reflected Amer, who normed a career-high 15.3 points in the elimination round.
“Kung gusto niya ng pisikal, kailangan mo din magpisikal kasi at the end of the day, dun ka gagaling. Hindi lang gagaling, magiging matalino ka sa loob.”
