Paul Zamar felt like he figured in a scrimmage when he faced his former team Blackwater Elite for the first time since joining the San Miguel Beermen prior to the start of the 2019 PBA season, Wednesday night.
Zamar – who was drafted by Barangay Ginebra San Miguel back in 2012 but was only signed six years later by Blackwater – was traded by the Elite to the Beermen in exchange for the 2021 and 2022 second-round draft picks.
“Feeling ko nga nasa scrimmage kami eh.”
The 31-year-old, second generation cager didn’t deny that it was emotional playing against Blackwater. The Elite gave him his first PBA break after an impressive stint with Mono Vampire BC that saw him help the Thai club reach the 8th ASEAN Basketball League Finals.
“Nakasama ko sila for six to eight months sa practices and games. Hindi rin ganun kadali alisin yung feeling kasi nakasama mo sila ng matagal, na-attach ka sa kanila personally,” said the gunslinging guard out of UE.
“But for us professionals, we have to move on And hopefully, this is a part of the process going forward.”
Zamar got the best of his old team as his Beermen displayed their old, deadly form en route to a 93-79 victory to end their two-game skid in the 2019 Philippine Cup. And for him, his familiarity with the Elite helped.
“You just have to take out their strong points on offense. You play with their weakness somehow and kahit paano, nakatulong sa team defensively.”
