The 38-year-old former University of the East stalwart flew to Jakarta yesterday to honor the commitment forged last year between the Basketball Association of the Philippines (BAP) and the professional Indonesian league.

‘’Pahiyang muna, medyo minamalas yata tayo ngayon. Pupunta muna ako sa Indonesia para doon ituloy ang coaching career ko. Sandali lang ako doon at babalik ako agad,’’ said Zamar.

Zamar was tapped by the BAP to coach the Philippine team that was supposed to play in the last Southeast Asian Games, but the event was cancelled following the country’s suspension by the World Basketball Federation (FIBA).

Zamar will return in March to handle the RP team in the 2006 Southeast Asian Invitational championship.

A long-time under study of former national coaches Aric del Rosario and Dong Vergeire, Zamar came to his own when he led the nationals to the 2002 International Friendship Basketball Tournament gold medal held at the University of Guam Field House in Mangilao, Guam. —Eddie ALINEA