Paul Zamar readily makes impact in long-awaited PBA debut

BIÑAN — Paul Zamar’s PBA dream is finally a reality.

After years of wait, the 30-year-old guard suited up for Blackwater on Friday and achieved what had seemed to be a long shot bid just months before.

“I’m OK. I really enjoyed it,” said Zamar, who was welcomed to the league by no less than Ginebra’s Mark Caguioa when he first checked into the game at the 1:54 mark of the first quarter.

“I’ve waited for this for a long time and after six years after I got drafted, it’s really a surreal feeling for me that I’m here.”

Like what he did in his past stops, Zamar made the most of his time on the floor, pouring 15 points on a 4-of-5 shooting, alongside six rebounds in 21 minutes of play.

“I think that should be the attitude of any professional player, that regardless of you play one minute or get a long playing time, you should be ready,” he said.

Unfortunately for the 30-year-old, it wasn’t all fun and games as the Elite suffered a 105-91 defeat at the hands of the Gin Kings — the same team which drafted the former UE Red Warrior in the fourth round of the 2012 PBA Draft.

With only a week of practice under his belt, Zamar acknowledges that he still needs more time to blend in, not just with his teammates but also the schemes of new coach Bong Ramos.

“We still need to adjust to the system. I also know that as a new player, I’m also at an adjustment period here,” he said.

But Zamar is not losing hope, not even with the Elite remaining winless this 2018 PBA Commissioner’s Cup with a 0-5 record.

“Hopefully, we get a better result next time,” he said, turning their attention to TNT on Friday.

For now, though, no one can steal Zamar’s thunder.

“It’s a dream of mine as a basketball player to play in the PBA. I’m just very excited about what lies ahead,” he said.