SO who can refuse a father’s request?
Being a head of the family too, Blackwater team owner Dioceldo Sy said he let go of rising guard Paul Zamar to give him the opportunity to be together with his father Boycie Zamar at San Miguel.
Sy disclosed to SPIN.ph the elder Zamar approached him and asked that Paul be given the chance to be with him at the SMB fanchise, where he is one of the deputies of head coach Leo Austria.
On Sunday, just after the 2018 rookie draft, the Elite formalized the Zamar trade with the Beermen in exchange for second-round picks in 2021 and 2022.
“Parang anak ko na 'yan si Paul. Blackwater gambled on him and nakita naman natin ang resulta, kaya malungkot tayo siyempre,” said Sy on Monday.
“But I’m happy for him especially magkakasama sila ng father niya under one team. Kapag ganun binibigay ko na for the good of the kid and the family.”
Sy recalled a similar incident with another former player in Arthur dela Cruz.
Blackwater also traded the former San Beda stalwart to Ginebra for Chris Ellis upon the request of his father, former PBA player Art dela Cruz, who was then an assistant coach with the Kings.
Sy said he was criticized for making the deal since Dela Cruz was then one of the young pillars of the Elite.
“People didn’t know the reason behind it, but the truth is similar case din ng kay Paul Zamar,” said Sy. “Basta tatay ang lumapit sa akin and about sa future ng anak nila, I have no problem with that. Tatay din naman ako.”
Zamar has a pending contract offer with Blackwater which San Miguel will now assume.
Trading away Zamar is also one of the reasons why the Elite agreed to a separate deal with NLEX acquiring the rights to first-round picks Paul Desiderio and Abu Tratter in exchange for Poy Erram.
Desiderio could take the place to be vacated by Zamar while Tratter can fill in the void to be left by Erram at the post, Sy said.
As to why Blackwater agreed to trade the vastly-improved Eram, well, that’s another story to tell.
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