DID Yeng Guiao just jinx Rey Nambatac?
It appeared that way as the high-scoring guard was held to 13 points on 5-of-14 shooting before fouling out in the fourth quarter of Blackwater’s 110-103 loss to Rain or Shine in the PBA Philippine Cup on Saturday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Speaking during the post-game presser, Guiao disclosed that Nambatac went over to the Rain or Shine bench and did the usual pre-game gestures.
“Lumapit siya sa amin, kinamusta lang kami. Sabi ko, ‘Bad luck sa iyo,'” the Rain or Shine coach said with a smile.
While Nambatac got going in the first quarter when he scored seven of his total points, the rest of the game was a bit of a struggle for the former Rain or Shine star.
He only had five points in the second half and committed three fouls in the final 4:16 including his sixth with 1:40 left in the game.
Nambatac admitted he wasn’t happy with the way he performed in his first match against his former team.
“Fouled out, six fouls, and yung sa fourth quarter, tatlo doon. Talagang naubos ako nung fourth quarter and hindi ko alam kung paano, anong nangyari,” related the former Letran standout.
Nambatac said he saw how Rain or Shine adjusted its defense against him in the second half, contrary to Guiao’s claim his former player gave the Elasto Painters a hard time all throughout the game.
“Kita ko naman yung adjustment ni coach Yeng kanina sa akin. Nung una hinahayaan niya lang ako and nung second half, nag-adjust na siya. It’s all about mind games naman pagdating sa professional league,” said the 30-year-old guard.
“I don’t think na pinahirapan ko si coach Yeng. Baliktad ata. Ako yung nahirapan kasi na-fouled out ako.”
Asked if he heard what Guiao told him during their pre-game chat, Nambatac said he didn’t.
Good for him. Otherwise, he knows he’ll not be able to play his game right from the get-go.
“Hindi ko narinig yun. Siguro kung narinig ko yun, malamang mawala ako sa focus kasi si coach Yeng magaling din sa mga mind games, e,” said Nambatac. “So siguro isa sa mga tactics ni coach is yung ia-out of focus ka niya. Kaya buti na lang hindi ko narinig.
.”
But lest he be mistaken, Guiao said Rain or Shine's love and appreciation for Nambatac remain.
"Wala namang nagbago doon sa turingan namin ni Rey on the personal side," said Guiao. "Kaya lang professional naman kami pareho, matutuwa siya pag nanalo sila, and matutuwa rin kami pag nanalo kami.
"Pero on the personal side, turing namin pamilya pa rin namin si Rey."
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