Allen Durham has been a given and others have stepped up during Meralco’s hot streak but no local has played a bigger role in the Bolts’ last three games than Baser Amer.
Down the stretch has been “Hammer Time” with Amer no stranger to thriving in the endgame.
The heady point guard was clutch again in lifting Meralco over No. 2 Phoenix, 108-103, in overtime in a knockout duel on Friday, burying back-to-back triples in overtime that put the Fuel Masters away and propelled the seventh-seeded Bolts into the semifinals.
The 26-year-old Amer finished with 26 points two nights after having an all-around game of 14 points, four rebounds and six assists in a 90-74 rout of Phoenix that forced the rubber match.
The former San Beda star sustained his form in the semifinals after putting up 14 points, four rebounds, three assists and one steal to help Meralco beat No. 3 Alaska, 97-92, in Game 1 of a best-of-five on Sunday in Antipolo.
Amer, who earned the Cignal-PBA Press Corps Player of the Week citation, averaged 18 points, 4.2 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.6 steals the past week.
He edged teammate Chris Newsome, Magnolia’s Paul Lee, Barangay Ginebra’s Japeth Aguilar and Alaska’s Vic Manuel for the weekly award.