The pain from Sunday night will linger with Rey Nambatac for a while.
Not because he suffered a cut above his left eye that bled profusely, but because his Rain or Shine Elasto Painters’ campaign in the 2019 PBA Philippine Cup ended.
The Elasto Painters had a favorable 17-point lead in the third quarter, only to blow it and allow the Hotshots to come from behind en route to the 63-60 overtime victory.
Magnolia closed out their semis series, 4-3. They will now march to the title bout to face defending four-time champs San Miguel Beermen for a rematch of last season’s all-Filipino finals.
“Wala, maliit na bagay lang ‘to (sugat). Part of the game lang ‘to. ‘Di naman simasadya tamaan eh. Importante talaga dun is ‘yung panalo, but we fell short,” rued Nambatac.
But as much as the loss stung, Nambatac holds his head high.
The product of Letran beamed with pride over how the Elasto Painters fought against a Hotshots team who were favored given their pedigree in a stage such as this.
“At least we gave Magnolia a good fight. Sa’kinm there’s nothing to be ashamed of kasi ang ganda ng series eh,” said Nambatac. “Para sa’kin, proud na proud ako sa sarili ko at sa teammates ko.”
“Umabot kami sa ganito kasi sabi rin ni coach Caloy [Garcia] nobody expected na aabot kami sa ganito.”
And as for himself, Nambatac said that the experience he got in this series – his first Game Seven in his playing career – is something he will carry forever in his pro career.
He averaged 8.7 points, 4.4 boards, and 2.6 dimes in the semis. His best performance came in Game Six, where he fired 16 points to lead his side to a 91-81 victory that sent the series to a Game Seven.
“Sobrang laki (experience) kasi unang-una, dito ko na-feel talaga yung tunay na basketball eh, which is every possesion bawal ka magkamali kasi ‘pag nagkamali ka, possible na matatalo ka,” closed the 25-year-old.
“Etong series na ‘to, dadalhin ko sa susunod pang mga conference and sa pro career ko.”
