The lives of Baser Amer and Kevin Alas changed on the night of June 9. Gilas Pilipinas head coach Chot Reyes took to Twitter to announce the new members of the national pool, and the two PBA stalwarts were among them.
And the two former Sinag Pilipinas members could not be more grateful for the opportunity given to them.
“Grateful ako for the chance to be practicing with the Gilas pool. I’m happy to serve. I’ll do my best and give my best,” vowed the 25-year-old NLEX Road Warrior after Gilas’ practice on Tuesday night at the Meralco Gym in Pasig City.
“Masaya ako na nandito ako. Nagpapasalamat ako kay coach Chot at sa management na sinama ako sa program ng Gilas,” said Amer, who stood out during the Meralco Bolts’ Commissioner’s Cup campaign.
This will not be the first time that the NCAA products will work for national cause, though. They have already represented the country in the SEA Games, Alas in 2013 and Amer in 2015, both taking home gold medals.
“In terms of familiarity, familiar naman ako kay coach Jong [Uichico], coach ko dati sa SEA Games, ganun din kay coach Chot,” said the Letran great, who was also part of the Gilas team that won the bronze medal in the 2014 FIBA Asia Cup in China.
Amer, however, admitted that he still has a lot of catching up to do, as it has been a long time since he played under the dribble-drive motion offense.
“Nangapa kasi first time ko talaga na nagawa ulit yung ganung sistema. As a point guard kailangan ko mapagaralan yung plays,” shared the San Beda alumnus. “[Kailangan ko ulit] pag-aralan yung system ng dribble-drive.”
But the proud son of Davao City has one goal in mind as he embarks on a new journey with the Nationals: bring glory to the Philippines.
“Yun talaga yung goal, na makakuha ulit ng trophy. And kanina, nakita ko yung iba kong kasama. Sobrang excited ako,” said Amer.
