JUST when Paul Zamar received a good news, bad news also came along.
The veteran Northport guard was finally given the go-signal to resume playing after undergoing ACL surgery and going through rehabilitation for the past nine months.
“Pinayagan na ako ni Doc (George) Canlas na bumalik sa practice. Sabi niya 'yung recovery ko very good kasi walang setback, walang maga, wala akong naging problema sa muscles, walang sumasakit. So he cleared me to go back to practice na,” said the son of San Miguel deputy coach Boycie Zamar.
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But his enthusiasm to get back on the playing court was offset by a disheartening info courtesy of the Batang Pier management.
“Sinabihan ako na hindi na ako ire-renew ng kontrata,” said Zamar shortly after the team’s 94-70 loss to TNT on Friday night in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
His contract expires on Saturday (May 31).
Coming off a season in which he was the recipient of the Samboy Lim Sportsmanship Award, Zamar is the latest player to exit a Northport side that has been busy lately trading away key players responsible for the team finishing as the No. 1 seed in the mid-season Commissioner’s Cup playoffs.
First to go was injured JM Calma, who was shipped to San Miguel for Avan Nava and a future pick, followed by William Navaro in a trade with Magnolia for Calvin Abueva, Jerrick Balanza, and a second round pick in the Season 51 draft.
And then the biggest of them all, Arvin Tolentino, coming off a Best Player of the Conference stint in the middle conference, was signed by the Seoul SK Knights in the Korean Basketball League.
Miranda released, too
Rookie guard Agem Miranda had also been let go as his contract already expired.
Zamar certainly felt saddened by the turn of events.
“For me, highs and lows ng emotions,” said the former University of the East stalwart, whose being managed by Ed Ponceja. “Tao rin naman tayo. May emotions din tayo.”
Despite parting ways with the Batang Pier, who acquired him in a trade with San Miguel two years ago, Zamar remains grateful to the franchise and coach Bonnie Tan.
“Wala akong masabi, wala akong masamang tinapay sa kanila,” he said. “Nagpaalam na ako sa team especially kay coach Bonnie kasi siya yung nagtiwala sa akin, siya yung nagbalik ng laro ko, ng kumpiyansa ko.”
At the same time, Zamar was also thankful for the opportunity he had playing for San Miguel prior to his trade to Northport.
“Gusto ko ring magpasalamat na coming from San Miguel, kinuha kami ni Boss RSA (Ramon S. Ang) and coach Al (Chua). Very thankful ako sa kanila sa ibinigay nilang opportunity, na nanalo ako ng championships with them, nagkaroon ako ng playoff experience with them, and yung sinasabi nga natin na samahang walang katulad nung time ng ‘Death 5,’ na-experience ko yun. Napakasarap,” he added.
The priority now for the Zamar is to get fully back in the pink of health.
“Kailangan kong mag-focus sa hinaharap ko ngayon which is yung recovery ko sa injury ko malapit na,” he said. “Next week magha-hop test na ako. Yun yung talagang puwede na akong bumalik sa game.”
Get well and good luck, Paul.
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