Baser Amer walking to the bench. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
In its first game without star guard Baser Amer, San Beda looked like a well-oiled machine, pounding on Lyceum to nail a 97-74 win on Tuesday.
And for the guys who were left, it’s a motivation for them to try to match the output of the Gilas cadet.
READ: NCAA: San Beda routs Lyceum
“I take it as a challenge to fill his spot. He’s like my brother so I need to stop on his position,” said Dan Sara, who had 11 points, seven rebounds, six assists, and six steals in the win, admirably stepping in the starter role alongside Ryusei Koga.
Sara, together with Koga, Radge Tongco, and Isaiah Reyes, will carry majority of the load left by Amer as San Beda continues its title defense in the Season 91 of the NCAA.
Even co-captain Art dela Cruz is feeling the effects of Amer’s absence, saying, “Ang laking bagay ni Baser sa team, pero di mo pwede laging isipin na wala si Baser (Baser is a big part of our team, but we can’t always think that he’s not here).”
READ: Baser Amer out for three months
“We need to move forward. Reality is he’s not in the game, but we’re still 14 and we have to deal with what the lineup can give us,” he added.
And that’s just what coach Jamike Jarin has been preaching to his squad after that loss against Letran.
READ: Letran hunts down San Beda in NCAA rivalry match
“I always play everybody. I try to build up confidence and you will need all your 15 players. That’s how I run teams,” he said. “It’s hard. You can never replace a Baser Amer, arguably the best point guard in college. We just have to punch in the holes that we have right now.”
Jarin, however, still remained silent on Amer’s future with the Red Lions.
“Definitely, he’s not pregnant. There’s no official MRI finding as of yet. We have to really take the swelling down,” he said. “The million-dollar question is, ‘Is he out of the season?’ My answer is… secret,” he said, quickly leaving the press room of the San Juan Arena.