Though he’s proven himself overseas as an import, and again with the Blackwater Elite just last PBA season, Paul Zamar knows that he has to work his way into the San Miguel Beermen’s loaded rotation.
The 31-year-old gunner out of the University of the East is now with the league’s winningest franchise after the Blackwater Elite traded him in exchange for a pair of future second-round draft picks in December of last year.
He and flamboyant guard Terrence Romeo are the new faces for the Beermen this coming season.
“Dito loaded na sila at every position, parang ‘di na nga nila ako kailangan eh. Pero siyempre, opportunity ‘to sa’kin na i-fill yung void nila – lalong lalo na yung bench nila last year, hindi ganun ka-efficient,” shared the 5-foot-10 guard.
“And siyempre para sa’kin challenge ‘to to put my game on another level.”
His arrival to the San Miguel camp also means he’ll be playing under SMB assistant coach and dad Boycie. The father-and-son duo last shared basketball work together for Cebuana Lhuillier in the D-League back in 2013.
“Nagsama na kasi kami before sa Cebuana. Medyo awkward yung feeling kasi yun nga, immature pa ko nun. But ngayon, exciting para sa’kin na matuto lalong lalo na nakapag-champion na sila many times,” the six-year pro said.
“And also makabawi rin ako sa kanya kasi at least ngayon, medyo mature na ko,” Paul added with a smile.
Zamar has joined a team that is keen on keeping their hold of the all-Filipino tilt for the fifth consecutive time. Though it appears daunting, the former ASEAN Basketball League Heritage Import for the Mono Vampire BC is excited.
“Very excited ako na makapag-compete, hindi lang sa playoffs, hopefully sa championship. But, yun nga, marami pang dapat gawin lalong lalo na yung ibang teams like Talk ‘N Text, Magnolia, Ginebra, nagka-catch up na sila,” expressed the second generation cager.
“Hopefully, ma-fill ko yung void somehow sa bench para mas ma-preserve namin yung starting guards namin.”
