EXPERIENCING a big resurgence in play in his second year in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), Meralco Bolts guard Baser Amer is using it as a springboard to help Gilas Pilipinas in its campaign in the ongoing 29th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
One of the players plucked from the pro ranks to join the Gilas cadets for their gold quest in the biennial regional sporting meet, Davao native Amer said he is deeply honored to be given the chance anew to represent the country in an international competition while turning to the seasoning he has had in his young PBA career to do his part in bettering the chances of the Philippine national men’s basketball team.
“I’m having a good campaign so far in my second year in the PBA and I’m going to use it to help the team in the SEA Games in every way I can, especially in the decision making on the court since I play the guard position,” said Mr. Amer, who is averaging 13.2 points, four rebounds and 4.4 assists in the five games he has played for the Bolts (5-1) in the PBA Governors’ Cup, in an interview with BusinessWorld before he left with Gilas for Kuala Lumpur.
While representing the country in tournaments abroad is no longer different for the 24-year-old San Beda product, he said he still feels excited every time he dons the national colors.
“It’s the same feeling for me every time I represent the country. Very few have the opportunity to play for the Philippines which is why I always give my all since it is not only for me and my loved ones but for the entire nation,” he said.
For the ongoing SEA Games, Mr. Amer said they are not taking things lightly, notwithstanding the high stature of the Philippines in basketball in the Southeast Asian region.
“Unlike before, our opponents have improved and you can no longer take them for granted,” Mr. Amer said.
He added that the recent showing of their Gilas counterparts who played in the 2017 FIBA Asia Cup, where the Philippines finished seventh overall, is serving as added fuel for them to perform well in the KL Games.
“We want to make up for the struggles our ‘big brothers’ had in the FIBA Asia Cup. I know the Filipino basketball fans’ attention is now on us and we’re taking on the challenge. There is pressure, of course. But we just have to follow our game plan and take it a game at a time. Hopefully we get to bring home the gold,” said Mr. Amer, one of the designated leaders of the Jong Uichico-coached team.
SO FAR, SO GOOD
And so far things have been looking up for Mr. Amer and the rest of Gilas Pilipinas in the 2017 SEA Games.
They have topped Group A with a 3-0 record and an average winning margin of 45 points, including a 95-point shellacking of Myanmar, 129-34, in their second game in the group.
Gilas Pilipinas is set to advance to the crossover knockout round. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo
