Zamar’s 3-pointer saves Blackwater
Games Today (Ynares Center, Antipolo City) 4:30 p.m. – NorthPort vs Columbian 6:45 p.m. – San Miguel vs Alaska
Paul Zamar continued his rise into a pivotal player for the Blackwater Elite after knocking down a three-point shot in the dying seconds to help beat the Meralco Bolts, 94-91, last night in the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Zamar’s three with 7.9 seconds left broke a 91-all tie as the Elite completed their comeback from a 10-point fourth quarter deficit and claimed their fifth win in six games, tying the idle Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok.
Meralco tried to go for a game-tying three on the next play, but import Allen Durham looked like he had lost count on the score and went for an off-balanced two-pointer as time expired.
The Bolts, who are coming off a fourth place showing in the FIBA Asia Champions Cup in Nonthaburi, Thailand, fell to 1-4 after suffering their fourth straight defeat.
Zamar finished with 13 points, continuing his strong play this conference where he is averaging 10.3 points on 49 percent shooting.
The former University of the East player was a low-key signing by Blackwater in the Commissioner’s Cup after a strong showing for Mono Vampire in the ASEAN Basketball League. So far, Zamar has taken advantage of his dream come true.
Coach Bong Ramos chose to go to Zamar in the final minutes over Mike DiGregorio, who only had two points on 1-of-6 shooting.
The move eventually paid off down the stretch as Blackwater survived a 74-64 deficit behind the hot-shooting of Baser Amer and rarely-used Ken Bono.
“Galing ng mga players ko tonight,” said Ramos.
In the second game, Mark Caguioa became the 15th player in history to score 10,000 career points as Barangay Ginebra San Miguel posted a 106-92 victory over NLEX to regain the solo lead.
Caguioa reached the milestone with 1:13 left in the fourth quarter to cap off Ginebra’s sixth win in seven games. The 2012 Most Valuable Player finished with a season-high 16 points – the same amount of points he needed prior to the match.
He did make an impact in the result as he scored nine in the third while combining with Justin Brownlee and LA Tenorio as the Kings broke loose after a 42-41 halftime lead to produce a lopsided victory.