Point guard Paul Zamar during his first stint with Blackwater in 2018.–TRISTAN TAMAYO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines–Blackwater signed free agent Paul Zamar while giving Troy Mallillin and Richard Escoto fresh deals in recent days.

Zamar is heading back to his first PBA team even as Mallillin and Escoto were each given two-year pacts.

READ: PBA: Blackwater spoils what could be final game of Terrafirma

The signings came after the Bossing underwent a difficult campaign in Season 49, missing the playoffs of all three conferences, including a 2-9 record in the Philippine Cup.

But Blackwater still has Christian David as a free agent, and coach Jeffrey Cariaso had earlier said keeping the sophomore forward is a top priority.

For now, the team will settle on getting Zamar, who was not re-signed by NorthPort when his contract expired during the Philippine Cup.

READ: PBA: Paul Zamar making most of opportunity with NorthPort

Zamar missed all of the 2024-25 campaign after sustaining an ACL injury before the start of the season. The winner of the Sportsmanship award in Season 48 is back with Blackwater, which he played in 2018.

Meanwhile, Mallillin and Escoto got new deals after solid showings during the past season.

Getting a huge reward is Mallillin, a San Miguel Beer discard who was given a one-conference deal by Blackwater in the Philippine Cup.