REY Nambatac regained top form for TNT just in time after being on a slump during the PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals against Rain or Shine.
Nambatac averaged 12 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists in the final two wins against the Elasto Painters after norming 3.0 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists for TNT in the first three of the best-of-seven Final Four playoff.
On Friday, the 31-year-old Nambatac had 12 points, four rebounds, eight assists, and two steals in a 97-92 win over Rain or Shine that sent the Tropang Giga to a PBA Finals grudge match against Barangay Ginebra.
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“Sobrang nakaka-overwhelm kasi hindi ko inexpect na aabot dito sa finals na back-to-back pa. So blessing in disguise na napunta ako dito sa TNT [after trade from Blackwater in 2024], and I know kung anong kaya kong ma-contribute sa team,” Nambatac said.
Nambatac has been thrust into a bigger role for this series and even beyond in the upcoming finals series against Barangay Ginebra with Jayson Castro set to be sidelined for the entire season due to a ruptured patellar tendon.
The former Letran guard had no qualms in saying that the absence of Castro was the reason for his bad games.
“Malaking factor din ‘yung nawala si Kuya Jayson. Alam niyo naman ‘yun. Sobra talagang ma baba ng output ko sa series. At itong series na ‘to which is sobrang na-pressured talaga ako. I realized na dapat itake ko as positive ‘yung pressure, maraming magandang mangyayari.”
TNT coach Chot Reyes said Nambatac’s struggles and pressure to take over Castro’s role was addressed.
“We addressed that squarely,” said Reyes. “We said, especially after Game 3, I told Rey, ‘Rey, we don’t need another Jayson Castro. We need Sting Rey.’ We need to see that sting. So I think that woke him up a little bit and that’s the game that we need from him.”
“We need Sting Rey. We don’t need another [Jayson Castro]. Nobody can fill Jayson’s shoes. But we need Sting Rey. Luckily, he responded,” Reyes added.
In Game 4, Nambatac had 12 points, six rebounds, two assists, and two steals in TNT’s 93-85 victory over Rain or Shine.
Nambatac also said he made an effort to stay away from social media after being bashed by fans online.
“Motivation ko talaga ‘yun na hindi ko puwedeng maglaro ng bad game sa series na ito, especially [against] sa former team ko. Medyo sa akin, extra motivation din ‘yun. And then, ang main reason naman kung bakit bumaba ‘yung laro ko is na-pressure talaga ako kasi nabigla ako, hindi ko inexpect ‘yung scenario na may injury si Kuya Jayson.
“And then, lahat binato sa akin, even ‘yung mga fans sa social media. Actually, hindi ako nag-social media ilang weeks na. Almost two weeks na yata kasi ang dami kong bashers. Pero okay lang naman ‘yun kasi normal lang naman ‘yun,” said Nambatac.
Nambatac said the bashers also became a motivation for him to step up.
“May freedom naman na i-express ‘yung feelings niyo. Para sa akin, okay lang din ‘yun kasi at least nakikita nila na may maling nangyayari sa akin. So para sa akin, motivation na din ‘yun,” said Nambatac.
In overcoming that pressure, Nambatac hopes that it would also translate to even better games in the finals against Ginebra, where the Tropang Giga will be eyeing their second title at the expense of the Gin Kings this season.
“Sana itong back-to-back finals ko, marami ulit ako matutunan. And this time, mas magiging matured pa ‘yung laro ko,” the TNT guard said.
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