Rey Nambatac knew he wanted more after winning his first PBA championship, and that was the only goal he had when TNT found itself in yet another clash with Barangay Ginebra in the Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup Finals.
That’s why the lefty guard felt surprised yet fulfilled all at the same time when he realized his goal following the Tropang Giga’s repeat conquest of the Kings, with him coming away with the Finals Most Valuable Player in his possession.
“I didn’t expect naman na magfa-Finals MVP ako kasi ang focus ko talaga, ang mindset ko, isa lang: makapag-back-to-back champion ako,” he said moments after their 87-83 Game 7 win at the SMART Araneta Coliseum Friday night.
Winning another crown was really the primary goal, as Nambatac is aiming to win as many titles as he can, given how long he’s been in the league.
He was, for starters, drafted seventh overall by Rain or Shine in 2017, but it wasn’t until the Season 49 Governors’ Cup last November when he finally reached the pinnacle of success following TNT’s successful title defense.
“Kasi ang tagal ko na sa PBA, eight years na ako, and sayang ‘yung opportunity na ‘to kaya sabi ko grab ko na ‘to,” the Letran product said.
“Ito na ‘yung pinaka-best chance ko na makasungkit ulit ng kampeonato sa PBA.”
That eagerness, no doubt, was reflected in Game 7, with Nambatac pouring 22 points, two rebounds, four assists, and three steals in 41 minutes.
He exemplified consistency in the whole series, actually, that the PBA Press Corps unanimously voted him as the Finals MVP after averaging 17.85 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 3.4 assists — his first time winning the said award.
The Cagayan de Oro least expected as much to go his way, but the honor, for him, is the result of his willingness to embrace the pressure of stepping up to the plate after Jayson Castro suffered a season-ending knee injury.
Their ‘kuya’ was actually part of the 21,274 that filled up the Big Dome, and his presence made the triumph all the sweeter for Nambatac and the team.
“Sobrang blessed kasi in my career, I’ve had ups and downs. Hindi biro ‘yung pinagdaaanan ko, Even itong conference na ‘to, when Kuya Jayson was injured, I knew na talagang the pressure is on me talaga,” he admitted,
“Grabe ‘yung pinagdaanan ko nun. Hindi ko alam kung paano ko mao-overcome ‘yung ganung pressure. But then again, nung sinubukan kong i-embrace ‘yung challenge na ‘yun, ‘yung pressure na ‘yun, ito ‘yung outcome.”
#WATCH: Even without Justin Brownlee, Chot Reyes and Rey Nambatac believe Ginebra remains strong after their close win in Game 3 of the #PBA2025 Commissioner’s Cup Finals 🏀
📹 @justinebacnis /Tiebreaker Times pic.twitter.com/iwGwCtvZHO
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) March 19, 2025
