It goes without saying that filling a gap as big as what Jayson Castro had left brings immense pressure, and Rey Nambatac himself almost succumbed.
The lefty combo guard admitted that expectations were wearing him down when the 38-year-old went down with a season-ending knee injury, as fans immediately looked at him to step in the absence of their respected ‘kuya.’
“The main reason na bumaba ‘yung laro ko is na-pressure talaga ako,” he said. “Kasi nabigla ako, ‘di ko inexpect na ma-iinjure si Kuya Jayson.
“And then after that, lahat binato sa akin. Even the fans, sa social media nabigla ako na-pressure ako,” the eight-year pro added.
Castro got hurt during TNT’s eventual win over Rain or Shine in Game 2 of the Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup semifinals last February 28, but skeptics grew curious about how they’d fare even though the crew led 2-0 in the series.
Those doubts were fanned even more when the Tropang Giga dropped a close one the next game two nights later, a 103-98 decision that also gave hope to an Elasto Painters side that has been looking to get over the hump.
But none, perhaps, was more affected by that loss than Nambatac, as he only scored two points, leaving critics to breathe down his neck.
(C) PBA Images
“Actually, ‘di ako nag-social media, mga two weeks yata kasi ang dami kong bashers eh,” said the Letran product. “Pero okay lang naman, kasi normal lang naman yun. Lahat naman tayo may freedom na i-express yung feelings.”
But thanks to Coach Chot Reyes, Nambatac was able to gather himself and turn that pressure into fuel to play his usual, with hardly any baggage.
That was evident in the succeeding games. Game 4 saw him notch 12 points and six rebounds off the bench to help TNT come away with the 93-85 result.
He then followed it up with another 12-point outing, with him and Calvin Oftana providing ample support to Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (42 points) as the Tropa finished off the Elasto Painters, 97-92, to book the first ticket to the Finals.
“Well, sabi ni Coach sa amin na hindi naman totally kailangan kong i-fill ‘yung gap na iniwan ni Kuya Jayson kasi hindi naman talaga kaya,” he said.
“It’s a total team effort, yun pa rin talaga kailangan. So at least 10 points, 12 points yung ma-produce ko sa 20 points per game ni Kuya Jayson, malaking bagay na yun. And the rest, pagtutulungan namin ng mga kasama ko.
“And, we just prove to them na even though wala si Kuya Jayson, kaya pa rin namin na makipag-compete,” added the former seventh overall pick.
Nambatac and TNT did prove that they can still go toe-to-toe with whoever is in front of them, and they hope to show as much again in the upcoming best-of-seven championship series against Barangay Ginebra.
And it’s an opportunity, too, for him to grow even more as a floor general as he’s set to play in just his second Finals — but without a ‘kuya’ to guide him.
“Sana itong back-to-back Finals, marami ulit akong matutunan. And this time, mas magiging mas matured pa laro ko,” he said.
