Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times
(C) PBA Images

Basketball

PBA: Rey Nambatac shines bright in Blackwater debut, sparks stunner against Meralco


ANTIPOLO – Rey Nambatac refused to see his debut become a footnote as he saved Blackwater from a massive collapse against Meralco, 96-93, in the PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup opener Wednesday night at the Ynares Center here.

The lefty playmaker calmly sank both of his charities with 19.5 seconds left to play, and the Bossing turned to their defense afterward to seal the deal after seeing their 19-point lead become just one, 94-93, no thanks to Allein Maliksi.

Nambatac finished with 27 points, five rebounds, and a career-high 10 assists to start the newest of his career triumphantly after being traded by Rain or Shine in exchange for future draft picks before the season-ending tilt.

“Thankful ako and grateful for Coach Jeff and my teammates kasi sobrang laki ng tiwala nila sa akin. Every time I have the ball, talagang alam nila kung ano yung gagawin ko,” said the former Letran Knight post-game.

Troy Rosario delivered 15 points on three triples in the Bossing’s first win since mauling Converge, 103-84, in their Season 48 Commissioner’s Cup debut back on November 8, 2023 at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.

Rey Suerte made 11 points, four rebounds, and three assists, while Tyrus Hill supplied 10 points as four finished in double figures in the triumph.

The victory also served as a fitting welcome for James Yap. The two-time MVP, who signed with the team as a free agent, scored five points.

Maliksi, on the other hand, finished with 27 points on a 5-of-6 clip from beyond the arc off the bench to lead Meralco in the comeback that fell just short.

#ReadMore  With Kim Fajardo sidelined, Angge Alcantara steps up for PLDT

Chris Newsome had 16 points, seven rebounds, six assists, and three steals, while Aaron Black, Raymar Jose, and Jolo Mendoza added 10 apiece.

Both squads will jump back into action on Saturday, March 2, at the SMART Araneta Coliseum. Blackwater opens the double-header versus TNT at 3 p.m., while Meralco takes on Rain or Shine in the 6:15 p.m. nightcap.

The Scores:

Blackwater 96 – Nambatac 27, Rosario 15, Suerte 11, Hill 10, DiGregorio 9, David 7, Escoto 6, Guinto 5, Yap 5, Jopia 1, Ilagan 0, Kwekuteye 0, Sena 0.

Meralco 93 – Maliksi 27, Newsome 16, Jose 10, Mendoza 10, Black 10, Hodge 6, Banchero 5, Quinto 3, Bates 3, Torres 3, Caram 0, Pasaol 0, Pascual 0.

Quarterscores: 18-26, 43-41, 72-62, 96-93.

Written By

Oftentimes on the sidelines. Forever a student of the game. Morayta-bred.




You May Also Like

Basketball

No trilogy is taking place in the PBA Season 49, as San Miguel tore up the script by ousting Barangay Ginebra, 100-93, to advance...

Basketball

RJ Abarrientos and Troy Rosario were among the notable players present as Gilas Pilipinas commenced its preparations for the FIBA Asia Cup 2025. Head...

Basketball

Gilas Pilipinas Men head coach Tim Cone isn’t expecting much from the national team’s first practice on Monday ahead of the FIBA Asia Cup...

Basketball

LA Tenorio turned back the clock and saved Barangay Ginebra from the jaws of defeat against San Miguel, 88-87, to force a Game 7...

Basketball

San Miguel finally broke the trend by subduing Ginebra, 103-92, to move one win away from the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup Finals, Friday...

Basketball

It’s back to square one for the sister teams as San Miguel denied Ginebra of inching closer to the Big Dance following a 107-82...

ADMU

At just 26 years old, Sandro Soriano has already walked the path most coaches spend decades trying to pave. From being a student manager...

Basketball

Abra Solid North continues to push forward in the 2025 MPBL Season, bolstering its already formidable roster with key acquisitions during the signing period....

Advertisement