REY Nambatac admitted he didn’t expect TNT’s decision to leave him out of the playoff roster in the PBA Philippine Cup.
Nambatac said he is now focusing on cheering on his teammates and his recovery from a groin injury compounded by hip flexor issue that forced the coaching staff to keep him out of the playoff roster of the grand slam-seeking ballclub.
Online resources said a hip flexor injury could take a maximum of six weeks to recover, depending on its severity.
READ Chot explains difficult TNT decision to leave out Rey Nambatac
“Nagulat ako sa balita, hindi ko inexpect ‘yun. But again, iniisip ko na lang na may purpose ‘yun kaya nangyari ‘yun,” said the 49th Season Commissioner’s Cup Finals MVP.
"Siguro, hindi hinayaan na makalaro kasi bukod sa meron akong groin injury, na-apektuhan din ‘yung hip ko, ‘yung hip flexor ko."
The 31-year-old Nambatac said, personally, he feels fit to play already for the playoffs, which was the initial prognosis when he sustained a groin injury during the elimination round game against Meralco.
“Parang mahirap naman din kung pipilitin ko. For me naman, kaya ko maglaro kahit hindi 100 percent. But then again nga, nangyari ‘yung mga ganito which is out of control na sa aming mga pkayers,” said Nambatac.
On the progress that he has been making in his recovery, Nambatac said: “Actually, malaki na ‘yung progress talaga since Day 1 na na-injure ako. But ‘yun nga, wala pang clearance from the doctor. Pero ang target namin is hopefully, kung makapasok na ng another round of playoffs, dun ko talagang pipilitin na maglaro. Pero ‘yun nga, nangyari ‘yung ganito.”
Explaining the team’s decision to leave the former Letran star out of the playoff roster, TNT coach Chot Reyes said they didn't want to risk a career-threatening injury for Nambatac.
“Sabi namin we don’t want to have a career-threatening injury. Kasi alam mo naman si Rey, kapag laro, ilalaro niya talaga yun,” said Reyes in an interview with SPIN.ph’s Gerry Ramos.
Nambatac is taking the cut in a professional manner, saying he understands the decision of the coaching staff.
“Wala akong clear na balita, update kung ano nangyari basta binalitaan nila ako na ganun ‘yung sitwasyon sa akin. Pinaintindi naman nila sa akin. Of course, we are professional naman dito so tanggapin natin kung ano ‘yung decision talaga,” said Nambatac.
'No hard feelings'
“No hard feelings naman. Pero siyempre, gusto ko rin talagang maglaro para makatulong sa team. Ang tanging magagawa ko lang is ‘yung presence ko sa bench na nandoon ako na nakikita nila ako, naka-suporta sa kanila,” said Nambatac.
Nambatac was present during TNT’s game against Magnolia last Wednesday where the Tropang 5G were able to force a knockout tiff on Saturday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
He will continue to be around for his squad’s games moving forward.
“Kailangan ko lang gawin is support my teammates na lang talaga. All-out support na lang sa kanila and to give advice, especially sa mga guards,” said Nambatac.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
