EARLY this year, Paul Zamar was still dreaming about making it to the PBA.
Now not only is he in the big league, he's also standing out.
On Tuesday, the journeyman was named the Cignal-PBA Press Corps Player of the Week for the period covering Oct. 1-7 after leading Blackwater to back-to-back wins in the 2018 Governors’ Cup.
The son of San Miguel assistant coach Boycie Zamar averaged 12 points, five rebounds and one assist in back-to-back wins over Meralco and Rain or Shine that galvanized the Elite's bid for a Top 4 place in the playoffs.
The 30-year-old Zamar later beat teammate Allein Maliksi, Alaska’s Simon Enciso, Chris Banchero and Vic Manuel, Ginebra’s Japeth Aguilar, LA Tenorio and Mark Caguioa, Magnolia’s Paul Lee, Mark Barroca and Ian Sangalang, as well as Columbian big men Sean Anthony and Mo Tautuaa for the weekly citation.
Against Meralco, Zamar fired 10 of his 13 points in the final period and had a crucial block off Anjo Caram’s layup attempt, before capping his heroics with the game-winning three as Blackwater escaped with a 94-91 win last Friday.
The former University of the East star sustained his hot-shooting on Sunday night after firing 11 points, grabbing eight boards and issuing an assist as Blackwater shot down winless Rain or Shine, 99-93.
Blackwater currently carries an impressive 6-1 record, its best start ever in PBA franchise history.
Selected in the fourth round (35th overall) of the 2012 PBA Rookie Draft by Ginebra but left unsigned, Zamar didn't give up on his PBA dream while jumping from the PBA D-League to the Thailand Super Basketball League to the Asean Basketball League.
He helped Mono Vampire reach the ABL Finals were the Thai side lost to San Miguel-Alab Pilipinas in the finals.
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