PBA: Baser Amer goes back to basics to lead NLEX in crucial win

NLEX Road Warriors guard Baser Amer during a PBA Governors’ Cup game. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIREr.net

MANILA, Philippines—NLEX needed a win to strengthen its bid for a PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinal seat and when the Road Warriors turned to Baser Amer for fuel, the veteran guard went back to basics.

Safe to say that the basics worked wonderfully for Amer as NLEX routed Phoenix, 104-79, in Group B at Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Friday.

“Actually, our coaches gave us simpler rules on defense and for our offense, we shared the ball from side to side. If there are opportunities, we just pass the ball forward,” said Amer in Filipino.

“I just wanted to guide my teammates while being aggressive.”

READ: PBA: NLEX stops four-game slide, dominates also-ran Phoenix

Amer finished with just 14 points built on a blistering 60 percent field goal shooting clip but it was his playmaking that got the Road Warriors going in the right direction.

Amer opened up opportunities for import DeQuan Jones, who finished with 27 points and seven rebounds to bring the Road Warriors closer to a quarters berth with a 4-5 card.

Bolick, surprisingly, didn’t breach the 20-point barrier as he finished with just 19 points but came away with nine assists and five rebounds.

That, however, posed no problem with coach Jong Uichico wanting his bench mob to deliver with Amer at the forefront.

READ: PBA: Baser Amer signs with NLEX, reunites with coach Frankie Lim

“Coach (Jong) told us that other players needed to step up aside from Bolick and our import. That became our mindsets as players off the bench,” Amer said.

“We had four straight losses so this was our chance to take a win so with our pride and character showing up, we got it.”

The Road Warriors aren’t assured of the fourth spot in Group B just yet as Blackwater is still very much in contention with a 3-5 card.

NLEX looks to lock in that fourth seed even further on Sunday when they face Ginebra at Araneta Coliseum.