Meralco Bolts starting point guard Baser Amer credits PBA legend Jimmy Alapag for helping him become the player that he is today.
Alapag joined the Bolts in 2015 first as a player then as assistant coach and finally as consultant. Alapag suited up one season with the Bolts helping the team reach its first PBA Finals during the 2016 Governors’ Cup, where it lost to Barangay Ginebra.
Amer recalls his first encounter with Alapag when he arrived hours before call time at a Meralco practice and found Alapag already performing shooting drills.
“Akala ko ako na yung pinaka-una. Tapos pagdating ko ng Meralco, parang may (tunog) na ng bola na nagsu-shoot. Tapos pag tingin ko, si coach Jimmy na pala. Kinausap ko siya kung puwede ba akong sumabay sa kanya,” said Amer in a published report.
“Everyday 9 a.m. nasa Meralco gym na kami kahit 1 p.m. pa ang practice. So at least nagawa na namin ang kailangan naming i-improve.”
The most important lesson Amer learned from Alapag was diligence and the value of preparation. He credits Alapag as a big influence in helping him reach the next level in his game.
“Malaking tulong talaga sa akin si coach Jimmy. Yung sipag (hard work). Tinuruan niya ako ng techniques kung paano gumamit ng pick and roll. Paano yung timing na tumira ng three-point (shot). Paano magbasa ng pick and roll. Mga ganun,” said Amer.
The 28-year-old Amer joined the PBA as the seventh overall pick in the 2015 PBA Draft by the Bolts. He is a three-time PBA All-Star (2017-2019) and was the 2018 PBA All-Star Game MVP.
Amer played for the San Beda University Red Lions (then San Beda College) before being selected by Meralco.
Amer was a four-time NCAA Seniors’ Basketball champion, and won the 2012 NCAA Finals Most Valuable Player award. Before that he was a two-time NCAA Juniors’ Basketball champion and was named 2009 NCAA Juniors’ Rookie of the Year and 2010 NCAA Juniors’ Finals Most Valuable Player.