Three games into the 2019 Philippine Cup, Paul Zamar looks like he has found his comfortable spot with the San Miguel Beermen.
That had been evident on Friday night. Zamar finished with 11 points, three rebounds, and a steal in nearly 19 minutes to help the Beermen pummel the Meralco Bolts, 105-93, to earn their second straight victory.
That, after going scoreless in San Miguel’s 99-91 win over Barangay Ginebra San Miguel last Sunday.
“Finally, oo [settled down],” said the 31-year-old moments after the win at the Ynares Center in Antipolo. “Pero siyempre, mahaba pa yung season, I still have a lot of work to do, especially sa defense.
“But one step at a time, makukuha ko rin.”
Zamar, who arrived to the Beermen’s camp in the off-season after being dealt by the Blackwater Elite, said that adjusting with his new home hasn’t been that challenging, all thanks to the guidance the team vets are providing.
“Madali naman kasi yung mga veterans yung nagi-initiate ng conversation, kung ano magiging role mo sa team,” shared Zamar, the 35th overall pick in the 2012 Draft. “Siyempre, from Blackwater to San Miguel, panibagong team, panibagong adjustment para sa’kin.
“Pero every day, binibigyan ko ng challenge sarili ko para mag-fit sa team.”
And it also helps having his dad Boycie around.
“Nung nagsama kami sa Cebuana (PBA D-League), parang disadvantage siya kasi dinidibdib ko lahat ng sinasabi niya eh. Immature pa ako noon. But now it’s a good advantage — ‘di niya napapansin yung mga magandang ginagawa ko, yung mga mali para naco-correct ko yung sarili ko,” said Paul.
“Also, naga-guard ko yung sarili ko sa pag-relax. Dito sa team na to di ka pwede mag-relax eh, I have to compete everyday,” he furthered.
But whatever good that he’s doing with the reigning, four-time All-Filipino champs is just a result of him fully accepting his role with them, even if it is far from the ones he had with Blackwater and Mono Vampire BC in Thailand.
“Para sa’kin acceptance lang naman sa role. Syempre dito sa San Miguel, tanggap ko naman na di ako first second third, or even fourth option. Basta susuportahan ko lang sila June Mar [Fajardo], sila Marcio [Lassiter], sila Arwind [Santos],” said Zamar.
“Kung san yung direction nila, dun din ako papunta.”
