SLOWLY but surely, Baser Amer is starting to realize he’s now the one in-charge of running the show for Meralco following the retirement of top point guard Jimmy Alapag.
He’s starting to get comfortable in the role, too.
The former San Beda star once again finished in double figures to help the Bolts register their third straight win and wrest the solo lead in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup following a 94-89 beating of TnT Katropa at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Friday night.
Amer was the top local scorer for Meralco with 17 points as he continues to blossom as starting man at the point in tandem with fellow sophomore guard Chris Newsome.
He was 7 of 14 from the floor and had two assists in 37 minutes of action – the most among the Meralco players outside of import Alex Stepheson.
“Kami (ni Newsome) ‘yung guard sa loob. Wala na si Kuya Jimmy (Alapag),” said the soft-spoken playmaker from Davao City. “Kaya kinausap kami ni coach Norman (Black), kailangan kami yung coach sa loob.”
It helps that Amer is getting a lot of guidance from two of the league’s former premiere guards in Alapag and Ronnie Magsanoc – both now serving as deputies to Black.
“Lagi kaming tinutulugan sa practice, sa game,” he added. “Tinututukan kami sa practice talaga, para sa game ready na talaga.”
[See Meralco continues resurgence behind import Alex Stepheson]
So far, the results are encouraging.
Amer averages 16.0 points in three games and has led the locals twice in scoring. He is 20 of 37 from the field so far and norms 3.0 assists per game in 31 minutes of play per outing.
Despite the solid numbers, Amer is keeping his feet on the ground knowing the shoes left behind by Alapag, the one-time league MVP, are hard to fill in.
“”Hindi naman madali yung pagkawala ni Jimmy, dahan-dahan lang naming pinupunuan ni Anjo, (Caram)” he stressed. “Probably makakarating din kami run.”