REY Nambatac isn’t too concerned about TNT’s defeat in the first game of the PBA Philippine Cup where the Tropang 5G are eyeing for a Grand Slam.
The Commissioner’s Cup Finals MVP said time will eventually help the Tropang 5G regain their form after dropping a 91-74 defeat over NLEX to open their campaign in the new conference where they are going for a Grand Slam.
“Obviously, wala pa sa timing pero nandoon na ‘yung flow ng defense at offense. Hindi pa ganun ka-tono,” said Nambatac.
READ: NLEX routs TNT as Grand Slam hopefuls struggle in PH Cup debut
Nambatac had an off-night where he only had nine points on 3 of 8 shooting from the field. Overall, TNT only hit 29 of its 72 shots to finish with 40.3 percent from the field.
Nambatac admitted the preparation for the Philippine Cup was short after their conquest of the Commissioner’s Cup last March.
“Ayoko mag-excuse pero siguro dahil din sa short preparation. Pero ma-oovercome din namin ‘yun,” said Nambatac.
The 31-year-old Nambatac said it was back to square one for them.
“Back to zero na kami. Tapos na kami sa hangover. Actually, hindi nga namin na-enjoy masyado ‘yung championship kasi inaalala namin itong conference kasi sobrang dikit ng schedule.”
“Pero ganun naman talaga. Ito ‘yung pinaka-source of income namin. Nag-prepare kami, nag-training camp kami last week. Hindi lang talaga ma-tono pa ‘yung offense at defense namin,” said Nambatac.
Nambatac is coming off a Commissioner’s Cup campaign where he copped the Finals MVP after he had struggles in taking over the spot of Jayson Castro when the former Gilas great suffered a right patellar tendon tear during the semifinals against Rain or Shine.
With a much-larger target on his back this conference, Nambatac is ready to take on the new challenge.
“I’ve been here before nung pagkawala ni Jayson. Para sa akin, sobrang pressured na ‘yun. Eto panibagong pagsubok sa career ko. Panibagong challenge na rin na kailangan maging steady ka sa loob, hindi ‘yung sasabihin mo na third option, fourth option ka. Ngayon, kailangan mo na mag-double effort kasi lahat nakatingin na sayo," he said.
“Masaya naman ako na kahit papano, ‘yung ganung pagsubok at challenges, makakatulong sa career ko para mas mag-improve pa ‘yung basketball at basketball IQ ko."
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