REY Nambatac is taking trade talks centered on him in stride, even as he finds himself in limbo.
The reported deal that would have sent him to TNT and given Blackwater Kib Montalbo and a future second round draft pick was put on hold and, according to sources, needs to be altered.
READ: Nambatac-Montalbo trade in its current form 'unlikely to be approved'
Still, for the former Letran star, it’s status quo until the Office of the Commissioner puts its stamp of approval on the transaction.
“As long as 'di pa final, ang rights ko nasa Blackwater pa rin,” he said after the Knights, with whom he's now an assistant coach, downed UE to advance to the Filoil EcoOil 17th ECJ Preseason Cup semifinals.
Surprise swap?
Nambatac, though, admitted that the trade talk caught him off-guard, only learning of the said deal when news broke out.
“Honestly, 'di ko talaga alam kasi 'di naman ako inabisuhan ng Blackwater. Even my agent, 'di ako sinabihan. So nagulat ako na na-trade na pala ako sa TNT. Iniisip ko nga kung totoo ba ito o hindi,” he said.
The 5-foot-11 guard made it clear, however, that officials from both teams have already reached out as they try to sort things out.
Nambatac came to the Bossing in the offseason - via trade as well - and was solid this past PBA Philippine Cup, norming 11.1 points, 4.4 assists, and 2.2 rebounds.
But this predicament has truly left him in a bind, saying: “Mixed emotions ito para sa akin eh, pero dito ko na-realize na ang hirap pala na ma-trade.”
“Seven years ako sa Rain or Shine, tapos after one conference with Blackwater, kung matuloy man ako doon (TNT), panibagong adjustment, panibagong pakikisama, at panibagong style of play na naman. Siyempre, 'di ako sanay sa ganoon,” he continued.
Control what you can control
Nonetheless, such is life as a professional, and the 30-year-old slasher understands that it’s all business.
“Ang kagandahan lang is maaga ko siyang pinaghandaan, na rookie year ko pa lang, alam ko na walang permanent na bagay dito sa PBA. Ang tanging magagawa mo lang is to perform every game,” he said.
For now, Nambatac will just continue helping out his alma mater in their buildup towards NCAA Season 100. After its quarterfinals win, Letran will face either La Salle or San Beda - both age-old rivals - in the Final Four on Sunday still at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
And on Monday, he will still report to Blackwater practice, while awaiting the final word from the PBA league office.
“Ako naman, as a professional player, always ready lang ako. At the end of the day, ito ang trabaho namin. Ang choice lang namin is maglaro talaga and continue yung ginagawa namin,” he said.
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