Baser Amer more motivated to help Meralco

SMART CLARK GIGA CITY – Baser Amer was keen to bring Meralco one step closer to his initial goal in the bubble which is to return to the Philippine Cup playoffs.

Amer and the Bolts last reached the Philippine postseason five years ago when they finished in the quarterfinals.

That’s why the 28-year-old playmaker delivered a solid performance to propel Meralco past Rain or Shine, 85-78, on Thursday at AUF Arena.

It was a crucial win for the Bolts as they moved just one win away from virtually sealing a spot in the quarterfinals with a 5-3 record.

Amer scored 14 points, draining seven of those in the Bolts’ balanced attack in the third quarter that allowed them to take a 74-51 lead over the Elasto Painters.

The four-time D-League champion and the rest of Meralco then resisted Rain or Shine’s late fight to achieve the important result.

“Our motivation is really to get into the playoffs because the last five years at All-Filipino we haven’t been able to get in,” said Amer, who flirted with a triple-double by scoring seven assists and six rebounds.

“This victory is a great thing because when you see the qualifying it is very close. We want to get into the top four and play the playoffs, “he added.

The former San Beda stalwart redeemed himself from his poor stat line in Meralco’s 89-85 win over Blackwater on Wednesday.

Coach Norman Black could only wish Amer would maintain his scoring brilliance.

“We are a much better team when Baser scores. Baser is not one of the strongest defensive point guards in the league, which is why most other teams target him on defense. But when he’s scoring basketball it makes things a lot easier for us, especially since a lot of his shots come from the perimeter, ”said the multi-title mentor.

“And we just hope that every night he can shoot like he did tonight.”