Arellano’s Jio Jalalon and reigning NCAA MVP Allwell Oraeme of Mapua have been the consensus pre-season favorites to win the Most Valuable Player crown this year. Five games in however, Letran’s Rey Nambatac is making a strong case for himself.
The Cagayan de Oro-native is currently having one of the most efficient offensive outputs in recent memory. Nambatac is currently tops in the scoring department with an average of 24.2 point per game.
Moreover, he is doing this at an effective rate.
With Mark Cruz and Kevin Racal going up to the pros, Nambatac has been tasked to provide the scoring output left behind by his former seniors. Currently, he is shooting at a career-high rate of 48.8 percent from the field (6th), 31 percent from distance (9th). He is also the league-leader in free throw attempts taken with 34, knocking down 30 of his attempts (88.2 percent – 2nd).
“Thankful kasi blessed ako at binigyan ako ni God ng ganitong talent,” Nambatac said after dropping a season-high 40 points on San Sebastian.
“Dahil dun kaya naging ganito.”
Outside of his scoring prowess, the 22 year old is not forgetting to share the rock to his teammates, dishing out 3.6 dimes per game (5th).
“Yung pagiging leader ko sa loob ng court, every time na lumalamang o dumidikit yung kalaban, pinapakita ko sa teammates ko na huwag kami bibigay, sunod lang sa akin at ako ang bahala sa inyo,” Nambatac said after helping lead Letran to a 4-1 start.
“Hindi ko kayo pababayaan. Hangga’t kaya ko, ipapanalo natin yung game.”
Furthermore, the NCAA champion is doing it on the other end as well. Nambatac is currently in the top 10 in steals with 1.2 per game.
“Nag-stick lang ako sa sistema ni coach Jeff, especially sa defense kasi doon kami nakakakuha ng offense namin,” he shared about the system of first year Letran head coach Jeff Napa.
“Doon ko kinukuha yung flow ng offense ko hanggang sa dumating ng dumating.”
Rey Nambatac and the Letran Knights look to sustain its blistering run they are in on Friday, July 22 as they face the Perpetual Altas at 12:00nn.
