TNT is keeping its fingers crossed that Rey Nambatac didn't suffer a groin injury as the team's medical staff feared during its 101-84 win over defending PBA Philippine Cup champion Meralco on Sunday night.
Nambatac appeared to have hurt his groin when he bumped into the camera while going for a layup late in the game against the Bolts at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
READ TNT wins 3rd in a row as Pogoy's barrage of threes sinks Meralco
The Finals MVP of the last Commissioner's Cup had 13 points, five rebounds, and five assists before exiting the game for good.
TNT physical therapist Dexter Aseron clarified Nambatac strained his groin when he took off for that fastbreak layup with 4:01 to play in the game and TNT leading, 87-77.
"Usually yung mga ganyan (injury) pag pa-take off ka," he said.
Coach Chot Reyes losing Nambatac would be a huge setback for TNT, which is on a three-game winning streak that improved its record to an even 3-3.
“Very big,” said Reyes of the impact of seeing Nambatac possibly being sidelined by the injury, adding the Letran alumnus had the second plus-minus percentage for the team in the win over the Bolts.
“I hope Dex is wrong.”
TNT is already without big men Henry Galinato and Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser, and Nambatac joining that injury list will certainly be a blow to the Tropang 5G’s momentum.
“He’s a huge part of our team and he does many things for us,” said Reyes of Nambatac’s role with TNT. “But you know that’s one of the other challenges that we have to face moving forward.”
Good thing, TNT won’t have its next game until next week yet (May 21) against Rain or Shine at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
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