Rey Nambatac suffered an ankle injury during the fourth quarter of Rain or Shine’s 2019 PBA Governors’ Cup meeting with Barangay Ginebra, Saturday night at SMART Araneta Coliseum.
The sophomore guard got hurt with 6:16 on the game clock — and with the Elasto Painters down 81-83 — while he tried to attack the Gin Kings’ defense. He was then subbed out 12 seconds later.
Nambatac had been having himself a good game, but it got cut short. He did not return afterwards, ending the night with 10 points, five rebounds, two steals, and an assist in nearly 23 minutes.
Without him, Rain or Shine lost, 89-98, absorbing its sixth defeat in eight games in the season-ending meet.
“Sayang si Rey, he started heating up but he got injured. Natapilok siya so he couldn’t play in the end,” lamented coach Caloy Garcia moments after the match.
“Medyo naging erratic kami nung dulo.”
The veteran bench strategist admitted they have yet to determine the severity of the former Letran Knights star’s injury, but he added that it is likely not serious.
“We’ll know by Monday kasi tomorrow, wala ata yung doctor. But sabi naman ng PT (physical therapist) namin mild sprain naman, so most likely he will be okay.”