He will likely suit up for his third PBA team.
Baser Amer is a four-time NCAA champion with the San Beda Red Lions. In the PBA D-League, he won as many chips playing for the NLEX Road Warriors and the Hapee Fresh Fighters.
But in eight years in the PBA, his championship pedigree has yet to translate.
He came close a couple of times to winning it all when he was a young point guard for the Meralco Bolts. But ultimately, they fell short. Now with the perennial doormat Blackwater Bossing, capturing a PBA crown has never been more out of sight for Amer. The team's victories have been as rare as a Big Foot sighting.
By the end of the year, Amer will reportedly part ways with Blackwater, as he wants to test free agency. At 31 years old, the best landing spots for the steady playmaker would be title contenders that might need his services to get over the hump.
Barangay Ginebra San Miguel
With his fantastic ball-handling, solid court awareness, and penchant for hitting big shots, the three-time PBA All-Star can definitely fill in for LA Tenorio, who, at 39 years old, is at the tail-end of his career. Baser’s arrival might just extend coach Tim Cone’s dynastic run.
Amer will be a good fit with Team Never Say Die, playing beside his fellow NCAA standout and PBA batchmate Scottie Thompson. Plus, both cagers hail from Davao. It’s not far-fetched for these connections to manifest into something positive for the league’s glamor team.
ALSO READ: Scottie Thompson lauded by Tim Cone for 'great coaching move' in Ginebra's win over TNT
TNT Tropang Giga
Here are the variables:
- TNT has an aging star point guard in Jayson Castro, who’s now 37 years old.
- The team’s next best ball handlers are Kib Montalbo, Ryan Reyes, and Brian Heruela.
Amer is better than Montalbo and Heruela. As for Reyes, he’s now 40. He is OLD.
The injury-riddled Tropang Giga will benefit big time if they can add the crafty guard to their roster. As for Amer, he could trust TNT, a winning franchise in the league, to keep on making moves ‘til they’re in a good position to win a title.
ALSO READ: Latest post of Mikey Williams lets everyone know how ready he is for possible PBA return
Northport Batang Pier
NorthPort is a team on the rise, with Arvin Tolentino and Fran Yu showing great potential as anchors. Perhaps, all the team needs right now is veteran guidance and stellar play from the one spot to reach the next level.
Both components can be provided by Amer.
With The Hammer steering coach Bonnie Tan's ship, the Batang Pier might be able to squeak past the powerhouse squads of the PBA and win a title or two. Not only will it turn out to be a great underdog story for NorthPort, but for the entire league as well.
ALSO READ: NorthPort stud Arvin Tolentino flexes self in 'villain' post, Kevin Alas hilariously reacts
Amer has only appeared thrice for Blackwater in the current PBA Commissioner’s Cup because of a calf injury. With that in mind, a new beginning elsewhere is indeed due so he can reignite his once flourishing career.
(PM)