Rey Nambatac can’t wait to compete in another PBA Finals after a groin injury derailed what could’ve been three straight appearances for him last season.
The TNT guard assured that he’s all set to go against San Miguel in the Season 50 Philippine Cup finale, raring to seize the chance after not being able to compete against the Beermen in the previous series due to his situation.
“So far, so good. Healthy naman. And excited na rin at the same time,” he said during the pre-Finals presser at the Novotel Manila Araneta City in Cubao, Monday. “Kasi after na-sit out ng one conference, nakabalik ulit ako sa Finals”
Nambatac was out of the Tropang 5G lineup of the previous conference’s playoffs, and his absence indeed dealt a tough blow to their chances of reclaiming the coveted Perpetual trophy, which they last won in 2021 in Bacolor.
TNT was already without star guard Jayson Castro at that time due to the knee injury he suffered during the Commissioner’s Cup semis, and things turned from bad to worse as the injury bug went on to bite the other key cogs.
(C) PBA Images
Poy Erram, for one, got hounded by a knee issue during the Finals, leaving the team limping even more as it was already dealing with injuries–albeit playable–to lead winger Calvin Oftana and then-new acquisition Jordan Heading.
As a result, the Tropa bowed to SMB in six games, allowing their long-time corporate rivals to regain the throne they lost to Meralco back in 2024.
Nambatac himself witnessed all that helplessly, frustrated as well since he knows could have at least helped the flagship MVP Group franchise put up a better fight given that he’s proven himself solidly in the Big Dance.
The former Letran Knights star was adjudged as the PBA Press Corps Finals MVP just the conference prior, when he helped TNT reign supreme in the Commissioner’s Cup by outlasting Barangay Ginebra in seven games.
“Dagdag motivation na rin ‘yung pagkatalo last conference,” said Nambatac, who’s hoping to win his third league championship.
So now that he’s healthy, the Cagayan de Oro-native has his sights on doing whatever he can to help the Tropang 5G complete their revenge tour.
“Personally gagawin ko lang ‘yung best ko; kung anong kulang sa team, ‘yun ang gagampanan ko.”
#WATCH: SO FAR SO GOOD
Rey Nambatac is grateful for having the chance to make up for lost time with TNT 🏀
📹 @justinebacnis /Tiebreaker Times #PBA50 pic.twitter.com/2UJdEhzbXp
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) January 19, 2026
