Rey Nambatac isn’t shy in admitting that he feels more pressured after signing a three-year max extension with Rain or Shine last November.
Make no mistake about it, though. The 27-year-old is, in fact, embracing the challenge that comes with being seen as a part of the ball club’s future.
“For me, medyo dagdag pressure siya. Pero at the same time, iniisip ko siya in a positive way,” the lefty guard said.
“Kasi, it’s a blessing for me.”
Nambatac has been regarded as one of the Elasto Painters’ stars for years to come, and the organization emphasized as much when it rewarded the five-year pro a new contract weeks prior to the Governors’ Cup.
Well, he was undeniably one of those who led the charge for his side during the Philippine Cup semi-bubble. There, he posted norms of 11.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 0.9 steals in 13 games played.
The native of Cagayan de Oro has long accepted that task with the team that picked him seventh overall in the 2017 Rookie Draft. But he’s putting more responsibilities on himself now to prove that he deserves such a billing.
But he isn’t just doing it for himself. He’s doing it for his teammates, especially the younger ones that look up to him and follow his lead.
“Kailangan talaga every game, even sa practice namin, dun dapat simulan ko na ‘yung pagiging aggressive ko, pagiging isang lider, at the same time pagiging isang beterano,” said the former Letran Knights star.
“Kasi ‘yung mga teammates ko, especially mga rookies namin, ako yung nilu-look up nila e. Sa’kin sila madalas nakatingin kung ano ‘yung ginagawa ko.”
Nambatac showed just that on Thursday when Rain or Shine battled Blackwater to open its campaign in the season-ending conference.
He scored 11 in the third quarter alone, powering his side’s breakaway that saw them uncork a telling 25-4 blast that converted a six-point deficit to a 60-45 advantage with less than six minutes on the clock.
Nambatac eventually finished with 16 points on three treys, together with four rebounds and three assists in over 34 minutes of play.
Most importantly, the Elasto Painters won in rousing fashion, 92-79, dealing the Bossings their 20th consecutive loss in the process.
“Sa part ko as a leader, as a veteran na rin sa team, kailangan as much as possible, 80 to 90 percent mag-perform ka ng maayos para kung ano ‘yung ipe-perform mo sa practice at tsaka sa game, ay gagawin din nila.”
