PAUL Zamar has gone full circle in his PBA career.
The veteran guard formally signed with Blackwater on Wednesday, marking his return to the franchise where he first played in the league.
Zamar visited team owner Dioceldo Sy at the Blackwater office where he signed the deal to become part of the Bossing’s roster for the PBA’s golden season.
READ Paul Zamar let go by Northport after recovering from ACL injury
The 37-year-old Zamar was a fourth-round pick of Barangay Ginebra in the 2012 draft, but never got to play in Asia’s pioneering pro league until six years after when Blackwater expressed interest in getting his services.
The same thing happened this time.
Sy said upon watching the Philippine Cup Finals between San Miguel and TNT, he noticed former Blackwater players such as Poy Erram, Don Trollano, Almond Vosotros, Brian Heruela, Simon Enciso, and even Juami Tiongson provided veteran presence and steady plays for their respective teams.
"I thought that's something lacking in our team. Nandun naman yung talent, but bata pa yung team. Kulang sa beteranong players," said the Blackwater owner.
And it so happened Zamar was available after beimg let go by Northport Batang Pier when his contract expired at the end of May.
The son of coach Boyzie Zamar is coming off an ACL surgery that forced him to sit out the entire Season 49, but has already been given the clearance to play.
The guard out of University of the East had an impressive rookie season with Blackwater, where he averaged 10.3 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.5 assists - numbers that earned for him a place in the 2018 All-Rookie Team.
The performance earned a second look from San Miguel, which moved to acquired Zamar in a trade for a pair of future second-round picks.
With the Beermen, Zamar is reunited with his father, who serves as one of the deputy coaches of the team and at the same time, won three league championships.
In 2023, the Beermen traded Zamar to Northport for wingman Allyn Bulanadi.
During the contract signing, the framed playing jersey of PBA great Atoy Co served as backdrop, which Sy hopes would inspire Zamar to play better in his return from injury.
Sy is a close friend and avid fan of the 'Fortune Cookie.'
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