PAUL Zamar pulled up from four-point range early in the fourth quarter to help Blackwater restore order after losing a 22-point lead to San Miguel, pushing the Bossing back up by two and setting the tone for the final quarter.
That would be Zamar’s 12th point of the night, in a game where he once again played significant minutes off the bench for the Bossing who caught a big fish in the Beermen, 126-120, in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup on Wednesday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
READ: Barefield, Andrade complete stunning Blackwater upset over SMB
Not bad for a guy who, not too long ago, had one foot out of the PBA door after not being re-signed by NorthPort just when he was just given the green light to play after suffering an ACL injury.
“This is almost my first real competition in almost two years,” Zamar told SPIN.ph. “Na-ACL ako, I was out for one year, last conference I was just playing spot minutes, I didn’t know kung maglalaro ako."
While Zamar eventually found a home at Blackwater again, he found it tough to crack the rotation under the tutelage of head coach Jeff Cariaso who leaned towards letting his young guns play – a decision that Zamar, now 38 and with plenty of mileage in his body, totally understands and respects.
But a confluence of events led to an opportunity for the former guard out of University of the East – first, Cariaso being replaced by Pat Aquino midway through the second conference. Second, unfortunate injuries to Blackwater’s key backcourt cogs in RK Ilagan, Dalph Panopio and Jed Mendoza.
As the Bossing needed someone to step up amid the injury struggles, Aquino finally gave the veteran a chance.
Zamar was ready
“I know the direction of coach Jeff, he wants to play the younger players. Now kay coach Pat, nabibigyan ako ng opportunities,” said Zamar, who’s averaging 13 points and 2.5 assists on 20 minutes per game in the past two games.
“Everyday, every practice, my approach is to get myself ready. We never know when an opportunity will come. I’m trying to make the most out of every opportunity na binigay sakin.”
For the duration of his career, Zamar always had that chip on his shoulder – having the need to prove himself in order to get a shot at the big leagues.
He was left unsigned after being drafted by Barangay Ginebra. He had to ply his trade in the PBA D-League before getting the break of his life when he was signed by Thailand’s Mono Vampire in the Asean Basketball League (ABL) where he emerged as an integral part of the team’s backcourt.
That performance in the ABL turned out to be his ticket to finally make it to the PBA – first, also with Blackwater, before spending the next four years with his dad Boycie at San Miguel.
He then spent a season and half with the Batang Pier, before the ACL injury and eventually becoming a free agent and heading back home with the first team that gave him a chance.
Nearly 15 years after being left unsigned by Ginebra, Zamar finds himself in the same situation once more – a player with the need to prove himself, to prove that he still belongs in the league that took him years to penetrate.
“To NorthPort’s credit, I’m very thankful for them kasi sinagot nila yung buong rehab ko, up until makabalik ako,” Zamar said.
“It’s shaped me to be at this point na I feel like may unfinished business pa ko especially going down with an ACL injury before the start of the season. Sobrang excited ko maglaro. Di ko maiwasan yung excitement ko last game din. Thankful na nakabalik ako, I just always had faith sa plans sa'kin ni God," he continueed.
“I think yung journey ko, all throughout my basketball career prepared me sa mga ganitong situation, especially getting myself ready everyday.”
The difference now is that he doesn’t have the luxury of time. He’s 38. Just had a massive injury, with more than a decade of wear and tear in his body.
But he’s gone through this situation far too many times for his career to wilt now. Whatever the opportunity is handed to him, he’ll be making the most of it.
“Yung bigat ng emotion recovering from an ACL injury tapos not being used while being one of the older players as team, it’s hard. You just have to be a pro and you just have to make yourself ready everyday and have faith in God,” he said. “Yun naman ang importante e and thankful ako.”
Zamar's life lessons
Somewhere in Zamar’s story, there’s a lesson to be learned.
For a player who’s not even sure if he’ll still have a contract by the next conference, he goes to practices and games with a positive predicament, in-shape, and prepared to make an impact – whether it be on the court, or in the locker room.
And if this is truly his last run with the team, he’s surely proving that he’s not just here to take a spot – he can still make an impact.
“I don’t know kung ano plano ng management sa'kin after this but I’m just trying to enjoy the moment, enjoy every practice, every game. But of course I want to play, I want to finish the season then we’ll take it from there,” he said
“Hopefully [ma-extend], hopefully. I’ll just have to be ready.”
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