Photo from ASEAN Basketball League
Aiming to contend among the league’s powerhouse teams, Blackwater has added another gunner after signing up Paul Zamar.
The 30-year-old guard finally fulfills his longtime dream of playing in the PBA after being left unsigned by Ginebra in the 2012 PBA Draft. The Gin Kings took the former UE Red Warrior in the fourth round in the same draft class as four-time MVP June Mar Fajardo and Calvin Abueva.
“I’m very happy that I can finally play in the PBA,” he told INQUIRER.net. “I’ve experienced a lot of speed bumps and detours in my career to the point that I almost quit. But now, I feel that my career has come full circle as I come back home.”
Zamar is no stranger to the Blackwater franchise, playing for the team in the PBA D-League before he decided to enter the draft.
Taking his act overseas, the 5-foot-11 playmaker found a home in Thailand with Mono Vampire, helping the squad reach the 2018 ASEAN Basketball League Finals.
There, Zamar established himself not only as a lethal marksman, but also a dependable player in the clutch as he averaged 16.1 points on a 36-percent shooting from three, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.6 assists.
His arrival could just be the spark the Elite need to resuscitate their campaign in the 2018 PBA Commissioner’s Cup after the team replaced head coach Leo Isaac for coach Bong Ramos.
Blackwater fell to a 0-4 hole after once again losing, this time to GlobalPort, 117-106 on Wednesday.
Zamar will join a young Blackwater backcourt which already features Roi Sumang, Mike DiGregorio, Nard Pinto, Mark Cruz, and Emil Palma, together with veteran Mike Cortez.