All of the stars aligned for the unbeaten Blackwater Elite in their gigantic 124-118 overtime upset of defending champions Barangay Ginebra San Miguel in the 2018 PBA Governors’ Cup, Friday night at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum.
But of all of them, it was the unheralded newcomer Paul Zamar who shone the brightest for the Elite.
With six players scoring in double digits for the ‘king-slaying’ Blackwater, the 5-foot-10 playmaker delivered the biggest hits with two treys in overtime – none bigger than the clutch baseline triple in the last 44.1 seconds for a huge 122-116 separation.
That pretty much took the heart out of the reigning champions, as the Elite ran away with their fourth straight win in four outings.
Averaging 8.25 points, 3.75 rebounds, and 1.0 assists per game in three games for Blackwater, Zamar finished with 17 points and seven rebounds in 25 minutes of play to help the Elite gain solo lead in the season-ending conference.
Staying grounded, as he is known to be, the soft-spoken guard attributed his instinct to his role in former team Mono Vampire in the Asean Basketball League.
“Well, sinusubukan ko lang i-replicate yung na-provide ko sa Mono Vampire nung nasa ABL pa ako.
“Yung readiness lang, kasi you never know sino titira eh. Ready ka lang, focus ka lang,” said Zamar, who impressed in his Mono Vampire stint with an average of 16.1 points 3.5 rebounds, and 2.6 assists.
Zamar’s impressive showing in ABL earned him a contract with Blackwater midway through the Commissioner’s Cup.
Despite this breakout performance in the PBA, the six-year pro said he is still adjusting to the PBA brand of play especially in his second conference only.
“There’s always room for improvement sa basketball. Once nakuntento ka, dun magsisimula yung downfall,” the 30-year-old second generation cager added.
“I’m getting there. Dami pa akong dapat matutunan. This is an evolving game. Every game iba-iba kalaban mo.Fo me, I have to keep on improving [para maging comfortable na ako sa PBA]. But slowly I’m getting in there, adjusting.”
